By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the situation in the province remains safe based on the latest threat assessments made among local chief executives (LCEs) following the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo recently.

Lacson said he had a talk with Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, Colonel Leo Pamittan this week and he told the governor that everything was fine.

He also got information on the results of the meeting between the Philippine National Police (PNP) high officials and his counterparts in the League of Governors of the Philippines.

Lacson said during the meeting it was determined that the direction that needs to be taken is data and intelligence gathering.

“In fact, even Iloilo Governor Toto Defensor said there should be constant assessment of the situation in their [respective] areas and that is true for all of us,” he pointed out.

Earlier, Lacson said he doesn’t see a need to beef up his own personal security despite offers from the PNP headquarters.

As long as he is aware of the situation and the areas he visits, then he will always be guided by it, he said.

However, the security at Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol has been stepped up.

Meanwhile, NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said that all police chiefs in the province were ordered to contact their respective LCEs and conduct threat assessments.

So far, Catalogo said LCEs currently do not see any serious threats to their security, but some have acknowledged receiving threats in the past.

“We remind our local chief executives not to be complacent,” Catalogo said./DGB, WDJ