By Jennifer P. Rendon
Even prior to the controversial abrogation of the Department of National Defense-University of the Philippines (DND-UP) accord, the local police in Iloilo City and the management of UP – Visayas had not been at odds with each other.
Still, there’s no harm done if the two institutions would foster open communications.
Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, confirmed that he indeed met with UP Visayas chancellor Clement Camposano on Thursday, April 8, at a hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
But he said it was just a casual meeting.
“Daw meet and greet lang ah,” Garbanzos said.
Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, was also present in the meeting.
Camposano was accompanied by his classmate, Iloilo City Tourism officer Junel Ann Divinagracia.
UPV Iloilo City campus is located at Gen. Luna Street, City Proper district, which is under the ICPS-1’s area of responsibility.
“I think the UPV management would just want open communication with the police, the local government, and the community. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that,” he said.
While Camposano stressed UP’s academic freedom, he also underscored that they welcome state forces to enter the university for security concerns.
“I think, we had a mutual understanding on that,” he said.
But on top of fostering open communication, Camposano has also offered technical assistance to ICPO, if the latter needed one.
“Not much was talked about, but the mere meeting was, I believe, a start of something useful and fruitful for both parties,” Garbanzos said.
