Caraga PNP evaluates performance of R-PSB
By
Renelle L. Escuadro
The activity highlighted the updates on the PRO-13 deployment of R-PSB and its support to the Barangay Development Program, the hallmark program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) that aims to bring development to former conflict-ridden communities through the implementation of various socioeconomic development projects for barangay beneficiaries.
"After the Armed Forces of the Philippines dismantled a strong insurgency movement in a priority barangay, it is the mandate of the PNP to sustain the peace and order of the said barangay through the Revitalized - Pulis sa Barangay," Escobal emphasized to the police personnel and invited guests from the different government agencies and local government units.
The official underscored that the program is important for sustainable peace and order in priority barangays from insurgency where PNP personnel undergo immersion to the areas to ensure that terrorist movements will not go back or return and infiltrate the place again. The deployment of the police force has a longer timeline through longer police visibility in the priority barangays.
Escobal shared the value of the program as R-PSB bridges the gap in the mandates on peace and order and good governance especially in the countryside. He recalled that R-PSB is a best practice in Southern Mindanao which has been credited to be a major factor in the collapse and defeat of the New People’s Army (NPA) insurgency in the said region.
The provincial teams presented some engagement and immersion activities under the R-PSB program including the formation and strengthening of the barangay tanods as force multiplier. Police officers highlighted the need for access to government services in the priority barangays such as civil registry documents and medical services.
In Caraga Region, the implementation of R-PSB is still a work in progress. With some areas in the region having attained a low deployment rate, concerned police officials are directed to look into the program implementation in their area to meet the minimum requirement of R-PSB, which is to deploy at least three police personnel in priority areas.
Since Dinagat Islands is still the insurgency free province in the region, PRO-13 affirmed the commitment to prioritize the deployment of personnel under the R-PSB to 248 priority barangays in Caraga.
PLTGen challenged the PRO-13 to promptly build up the program and he is positive that this will be another success story in the region. (RLE/PIA-Caraga)
