By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 on Monday formally turned over millions of pesos worth of vehicles and firearms to line units to boost their mobility and combat assets.
The 45 motorcycles, 10 machine guns, 600 handguns, and thousands of ammunition were handed to the recipient units following the celebration of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6’s 32nd PNP Foundation Day Celebration at the PRO-6 headquarters in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City on February 13.
The motorcycles were purchased under Capability Enhancement Program for Fiscal Year 2022.
Each motorcycle includes a set of OVM tools; a set of stainless-steel crash guards; a police siren with 4 programs and 100-watt speaker PA System; and a set of police blinkers.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) got the most number of motorcycles at 15; Antique PPO with 9; Capiz PPO and Aklan POO with 7 units each; Negros Occidental PPO with 6; and Guimaras PPO with one.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 also received 10 units of Negev 5.56mm light machine guns.
Included with the guns were 10,000 rounds of cartridge 5.56mm ball, M855/SS109 M27 linked, ten short spare barrels, forty magazine pouches/boxes; thirty pieces of thirty-rounder magazines; with each set having a carrying bag with complete accessories.
The light machine guns are funded under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022 intended for mobile forces.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 has also received 600 units of caliber .9mm Striker Fired pistols “Rex Delta.”
The 600 handguns also come with 30,000 rounds of cartridge .9mm balls; 2,400 pistol magazines; and each has a gun complete with accessories.
The pistols were funded by the PNP Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) Balances for the fiscal year 2019.
They are intended for rookie policemen.
Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, said that with the new capabilities, PRO-6 is geared towards providing quality public safety services to the people of Western Visayas.
“We are thankful to the National Command for this project aimed to improve the mobilization and shooting capabilities of the men and women of PRO-6,” he said.
Francisco said that the said assets are expected to ease the burden of the recipient units and offices in delivering quality service despite the deficiency in logistics.
“Ang pagbigay ng mga motorsiklo at baril ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad sa komunidad na mas mapaganda ang serbisyo ng ating mga kapulisan,” he said.
Aside from responsibilities, the said police equipment also carried with them the challenge and resolve to make use of them for good of our country.
That’s why, “we have to respond with the support of the leadership of the PNP and accept the blessings with an undivided commitment to serve and protect,” he said.
Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, Francisco said that PRO-6’s law enforcement and community engagements have been satisfactory.
However, the region’s top cop believed that they can do better given the right push and ample support.
“With these new additional logistical capabilities, I cannot help but expect more milestones and breakthroughs in our goal to perform better in order to serve more,” he said.
To deliver such, Francisco said police must always internalize their roles.
In the end, by doing their respective duties and responsibilities, “we are contributing to our mission of achieving a police force that is dignified, disciplined and most of all competent.”
