The Philippine National Police (PNP) has pledged to adopt a “more focused, responsive and community-driven policing strategy” to ensure peace and order in the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR).
PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil made the assurance after the Police Regional Office-NIR (PRO-NIR) was activated on Thursday, March 27, in a ceremony held at a hotel in Bacolod City.
PRO-Western Visayas director Brigadier General Jack Wanky was appointed concurrent officer-in-charge of PRO-NIR, which supervises the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, Siquijor Police Provincial Office, and the Bacolod City Police Office.
In attendance were Undersecretary for Peace and Order Nestor Sanares of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and ranking PNP officials.
In a message delivered by PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. General Robert Rodriguez, Marbil said he is confident that PRO-NIR will embody the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and excellence.
“We stand united, ready to fulfill our duty to our fellow Filipinos, and dedicated to making PRO-NIR a model of excellence in law enforcement,” he said.
“Under the leadership of [Brigadier General Wanky], I expect nothing less than a proactive approach to law enforcement, a genuine commitment to public service, and an unwavering resolve to uphold justice and the rule of law.”
The PNP chief told the men and women of the PRO-NIR that they are “the backbone of this new regional command.”
“The people of Negros Island deserve nothing less than the highest standard of service and dedication. Carry this responsibility with pride, honor and integrity. The success of PRO-NIR will depend on your dedication, discipline and determination to protect and serve,” he said.
Wanky assured his superiors, who trusted him to lead the PRO-NIR, that he would “optimize the available resources towards the efficient, effective and responsive functioning” of the new police regional office.
“I will muster all means to propel shared responsibility towards steering the NIR police force in carrying out the mission to make this region a safe, peaceful and orderly place to live, work, invest, and do business in,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sanares urged the PRO-NIR to boost police presence, set up checkpoints, intensify the campaign against illegal activities, and dismantle private armed groups in the region.
“The operationalization of the PRO-NIR will enhance police efficiency, contributing to the overall national peace and order,” he said in his message. (PNA)