The first batch of augmentation force from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that will assist in disaster response and perform election duty arrived in Negros Oriental over the weekend, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said 200 officers arrived over the weekend at Camp Fernandez in Sibulan town and were presented to the visiting Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, director of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas.

One hundred came from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion while the other 100 were from three cities of Cebu province.

Polinar said half of the additional cops will be assigned to Canlaon City “to assist in disaster relief operations and in preparation for a possible Alert Level 4 scenario.”

Alert Level 4 is expected in the event of a major eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, where the majority, if not all, of Canlaon City residents will be evacuated.

“The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office requested additional police personnel in anticipation of evacuees to be spread out in the towns and cities in the first district with this scenario,” Polinar said.

The other 100 will be deployed to different police stations and assist with Commission on Elections’ checkpoints to ensure peace and order leading to the May 12 polls, Polinar added.

Maranan ordered the cops “to enhance police presence in the streets” and “to increase the quick response time in responding to incidents.”

He also directed enhanced operations against private armed groups, illegal drugs and criminal gangs, Polinar said. (PNA)