THE Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) has been issued 300 brand-new Galil assault rifles by the Philippine National Police headquarters to help it further beef-up its firepower needed in combatting criminality and the New People’s Army in Ilocos-Pangasinan region, PRO1 director, Brigadier General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. announced yesterday.
The PRO1 director said that the weapons were turned over to them by PNP Directorate for Logistics officials during the first command visit to the Ilocos-Pangasinan police headquarters by PNP chief, General Debold M. Sinas last week. “These weapons will help us further enhance our firepower and tactical capabilities in fighting criminality and Enemies of the State,” Azurin said.
The 25th PNP chief, joined by other members of the PNP Directorial Staff were welcomed with a field demonstration by trainees from the Regional Training Center 1 and a skills demonstration by operatives from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 and the Regional Explosives and Canine Unit.
Sinas also conferred awards to outstanding PRO1 officers and men who have shone in their anti-criminality, anti-insurgency and anti-narcotics campaign leading to the success of the regional police force in keeping peace and order in the region.
The PNP chief lauded the PRO1 for doing an excellent job in sustaining its crime prevention efforts amid the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, he also congratulated the PRO1 for its immediate and comprehensive response against COVID-19 resulting to a low infection rate and zero casualty in the regional police force.
However, he again emphasized that he will not tolerate any police officer or men who will be violating the law since they would be met with harsh punishment including dismissal from the service and a jail term.
He referred to previous incidents in the region where some local policemen have been accused of involvement in crimes including one where two Ilocos Sur police personnel were arrested and detained in connection with the rape-slay case of a 15-year -old girl.
“Hindi natin poprotekahan ang mga kasama nating gumawa ng masasama. However, this should not stop us from doing what is right and what is good. It should not affect us in our performance and we should always be proud of our organization and ourselves,” Sinas said.
The PNP chief also further challenged the men and women of PRO1 to enhance and intensify their war on drugs, specifically when it comes to accounting for ‘high-value targets’ and in recovering huge volume of dangerous drugs.
“Let us support President Duterte’s passion in the eradication of illegal drugs, corruption, criminality, insurgency, and illegal gambling,” he stressed.
During his visit to the PRO1 headquarters, the PNP chief led the burning of an estimated P9.5 million worth of seized dried marijuana plants and seedlings and led the blessing o the PRO1 Bus and Quarantine Facility.
Azurin told the PNP chief that they posted a significant 43 percent reduction in the crime volume specifically on the 8 Focus Crimes and made huge accomplishments in their campaign against most wanted persons in the region.
He attributed this to their relentless campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, internal security operations and their anti-corruption drive.
“ This program is called KASIMBAYANAN or Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan wherein the Local Government Units, the PNP, the church and community collaborates, cooperates,commits to work together for the prevention and control of crimes and make the community safe and peaceful,” the PRO1 director added.
