By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) is strengthening its border control operations in central and southern parts of the province to prevent rebels from escaping following the series of killings in the adjacent province of Negros Oriental.
Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, said on Tuesday, that they are focusing on the towns of Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and Isabela, part of San Carlos City, and towns of Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Cauayan, and cities of Kabankalan, and Sipalay known as the Chicks area.
“Moises Padilla is just a stone away from Guihulngan City, which is considered as one of the center of gravity of operations of the enemies in the oriental side,” Baleros said.
“We will conduct intense screening through checkpoint operations on those who enter and exit in both provinces,” he added.
Baleros said he met with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson last Monday, and discussed with him the spate of killings in the adjacent province.
Since the ambush slay of four policemen in Ayungon town on July 18, Baleros said they have deployed blocking force in the boundaries of the two provinces.
This is our preventive and proactive actions Baleros said, as he assured the people here that they are safe and secured.
Meanwhile, Baleros said that the additional Special Action Force (SAF) troops to be deployed in Negros island, which is intended for Negros Occidental will possibly be stationed at their headquarters in Sagay City.
However, with regards to its deployment, Baleros said it is up to their battalion commander since they will still have to conduct risk and threat assessment.
He said he will also talk to the battalion commander for possible joint security operations.
Philippine National Police (PNP) director Oscar Albayalde recently ordered the deployment of 300 SAF troops in Negros island because of the spate of killings in Negros Oriental.
However, Baleros refused to divulge the number of the troops allotted for Negros Occidental for security reasons.
