The town of La Castellana in Negros Occidental has been generally peaceful and orderly since Mt. Kanlaon erupted on June 3, which placed the area in a state of calamity.

With the help of an augmented peacekeeping force, La Castellana town police chief, Major Rhojn Darell Nigos said the Philippine National Police (PNP) had not recorded any minor or major incidents, which he attributed to the implementation of curfew hours at nighttime.

He said the curfew starts from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for minors and elders roaming at night.

Nigos said those caught within the hours prohibited are transported to their house and are warned not to go out during curfew hours again.

“We help them get back to their homes and deal with them properly so that we don’t get negative feedback from the community,” he said.

In maintaining peace and order in evacuation centers, he said the PNP has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“We have this practice where every family or household has different room assignments and each room is monitored without violating their privacy,” he said.

Room visits are done every day and night where each evacuee is accounted for.

With the help of the DSWD, the police held a symposium on laws about the welfare of women, children, and everyone.

“There has been no violation committed against women or children because, from the very first day, we discussed Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, and Republic Act 9262, or Violence Against Women and their children.

Penalties and fines were discussed with them if they violated such laws.

“We assure the community here that the PNP will do its best to protect the lives of all people to the point that we will risk our lives to save others from peril,” Nigos said. (PIA-6 Negros Occidental)