Top cop says Samar’s peace and order situation manageable

PALO, Leyte, April 4 (PNA) -- The regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas stands firm that the peace and order situation in Samar is manageable.

Chief Supt Jose Erwin Villacorte said the threats posed by criminal elements and other groups are effectively and efficiently addressed by the police regional office, through its subordinate units.

The official made the statement after Vice President Jejomar Binay slams the alleged failure of administration allies, particularly Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Mel Sarmiento, to curb criminality in Samar province.

Sarmiento is a native of Calbayog City and was a mayor for nine years.

Villacorte said shooting incidents in Samar province has decreased to 18 in the first quarter of 2016 from 26 in the last three months of 2015.

The decrease can be attributed to the arrest of wanted persons and members of potential Private Armed Groups (PAGs), including the confiscation of their firearms.

As part of the Lambat-Sibat operations, an intensive campaign against members of probable PAGs is being carried out by the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) from January to March 2016, which resulted to the neutralization of eight members of potential PAGs, bringing down the number of the remaining potential PAGs members to 100.

The police operations resulted to the recovery of six assorted firearms.

Last March 21-28, an additional of 102 assorted firearms were turned over to the different police stations for safekeeping pending issuance of permit to carry firearm licenses.

Villacorte added that the regional police always ensures public safety, through responsive and effective anti-criminality strategy that prevent, contain and neutralize the series of killings in Calbayog City and other parts of Samar province.

Police community relations and information operations strategies are also being intensified through conduct of peace covenants, peace dialogues and coordinating conferences.

“As the election draws near, it is probable that there will be some isolated political atrocities, which may happen, but it will not hamper the overall conduct of the elections. Alliance with communist rebels and utilization of PAGs by unscrupulous politicians are also expected particularly in the three provinces of Samar Island,” the police official added.

Villacorte assured that his men will remain steadfast in performing its mandated tasks to ensure the safety of the people free from threats and harm.

“The PNP will continue to exert all its efforts to bring other perpetrators of crimes to justice and will hold them responsible for their criminal acts.”

Likewise, the public is encouraged to join hands together with the law enforcement agencies by way of providing information to the local police that will lead to the identification and arrest of criminals. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR