DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 4 (PIA) -- The Provincial Police Office here has shifted to a more preventive approach in their anti-crime efforts by strengthening their police operations and adopt a “whole-of-government approach." 

In a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held July 27, 2023, the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) reported significant progress in its campaign against wanted persons with 1,355 personalities arrested, including the most wanted persons in the province, as a result of a total of 1,266 operations conducted for the period from January to July 2023.

After the March 4 Pamplona massacre, the police have established 34 static checkpoints and border control points to prevent entry and exit of criminals in the province and to minimize the movement of lawless elements.

NOPPO also reported that under non-index crimes or offenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Laws, such as enforcement on RA 8294 or campaign against loose firearms, there were 36 persons arrrested and 625 firearms and 20 explosives  seized/recovered. 

For the anti-Illegal drugs campaign, 247 drug personalities were arrested and 2,183.74 grams of shabu were seized with a total value of more than P14 million.

Under Republic Act 9287 or the campaign against illegal gambling, the police nabbed 1,289 individuals with total bet money confiscated at P201,947.

The Philippine National Police here also reported their crime prevention initiatives, such as increased police visibility and patrols in familiar criminal hotspots.  

Philippine Army Gen. Joey Escanilla, 302nd brigade commander, disclosed that members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in the province are declining.

Escanilla said the military troops continuously gained headway against the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) as the Army will relentlessly pursue them. 

With intensified 922 combat operations against the CPP-NPA and eight joint checkpoints established in the province, the Army official said these prevented the entry of NPA members and materials.

The Army also reported that the CPP-NPA is able to operate because of its steady source of funding from the CTG’s International Terrorist Financing Network (IFTN).

“If the government can disrupt the funding, it will make it much more difficult for the CPP-NPA to operate,” Escanilla said. 

The military has asked government agencies to consult with the Philippine Amy regarding the background of all non-government organizations that have projects in the province prior to the implementation of projects to ensure their non-affiliation with the CTG. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from Antoine Duquenne, SU Intern)