by Vincent Philip Bautista
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–As part of its efforts to intensify northern Mindanao’s peace and security initiatives, the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC)-10, spearheaded by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10, held its first quarter meeting in Camp 1LT Vicente Alagar, here, March 29.
PBGen Lawrence Coop, regional head of PRO-10, underscored the importance of a harmonized approach to eradicating illicit drugs, criminality, and insurgency in the region.
“Napaka timely ito (This is very timely) because we have a scheduled RPOC meeting this Friday, so we have the opportunity today to discuss law enforcement issues or concerns that can be brought up properly before the RPOC level,” Coop said.
In response to reports of traffic accidents in Lanao del Norte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 brought up the idea of strategically revisiting checkpoints across the region. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 also brought up the need for a stronger and more coordinated after-care program for drug addicts in the region.
The subcommittees on dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals, fishing and protecting the marine environment, controlling firearms, ammunition, and explosives, enforcing traffic management, and stopping kidnappings were also talked about.
“The collaboration of all law enforcement agencies and support of the stakeholders have contributed in the achievement of the generally peaceful and orderly Northern Mindanao, we need to sustain and strengthen collaborative law enforcement and preventive measures to curb criminalities and propose new strategies,” PRO-10 Regional Operations and Management Division Chief Wilbur Salaguste said.
The PRO-10 reported that from January to March 2023, the total number of crimes compared to the previous quarter has declined from 3,768 cases to 3,248 or 13.80 percent, while a total of 1,163 wanted persons were neutralized, including Constantino Camiging, a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member with a bounty of P550,000.
Salaguste attributed their accomplishments to the strong partnership they have developed in the grassroots through their Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo” (KKDT) and “KASIMBAYANAN” programs. (VPSB/PIA-10)
####
