By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Nestor Sanares has urged police in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to strengthen visibility and maintain peace as the local campaign period for the May 12 midterm elections begins Friday, March 28.
Sanares made the call during the official activation of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) held Thursday at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City.
He represented DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla at the ceremony, where Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, current director of PRO-6, assumed concurrent duties as officer-in-charge of PRO-NIR.
Sanares emphasized the crucial role of law enforcement in ensuring safe, orderly elections, particularly in towns identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of concern.
He encouraged the establishment of checkpoints, intensified anti-criminality efforts and the dismantling of private armed groups.
Sanares said five areas in Negros Island have been classified under the orange category, indicating serious armed threats, although he did not name the locations.
He noted, however, that most of the region falls under the green category, indicating no significant election-related threats.
“Let’s see to it that everybody will be voting peacefully — no chaos as much as possible,” Sanares said.
He added that the activation of PRO-NIR marks a new beginning for Negrenses and strengthens the foundation for growth, development and public safety.
Sanares said the new command will enhance police efficiency, citing a 2.6 percent national drop in crime in 2024 attributed to Philippine National Police (PNP) efforts.
“We believe PRO-NIR will maintain these achievements in the Visayas,” he added.
He said the regional command will also help improve community relations and address vulnerabilities in remote areas.
Sanares shared that DILG-NIR, which oversees local government units, and PRO-NIR, in charge of law enforcement, are also preparing to reactivate the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and deploy Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.
He expressed confidence in Wanky’s leadership and said more personnel would be deployed to NIR, though he declined to specify numbers.
Meanwhile, in a media interview, Wanky said he plans to visit police offices in Negros Oriental and Siquijor to assess personnel, equipment and facilities.
He said this review will help determine what adjustments are needed under the new command.
Wanky added that he will be temporarily based in Bacolod while his deputies supervise Panay, and will travel back and forth to Iloilo as needed.
For now, PRO-NIR will share space with the Visayas Area Command at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters.
In a message read by Police Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, PNP deputy chief for operations, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the creation of NIR is a strategic move tailored to the island’s unique security and governance needs.
Marbil said uniting Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental under one police command will improve coordination, responsiveness and community-focused policing.
“It is a move towards a more focused, responsive and community-driven policing strategy,” Marbil said.