Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Tag: The Philippine National Police

PNP-10 deploys 13,414 checkpoints as COMELEC rallies government support

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (February 11, 2025) — As the 2025 national and local elections approach, the Philippine National Police Regional Office (PNP-PRO)-10 has deployed 13,414 checkpoints across northern Mindanao to ensure a secure and orderly election period. This extensive operation is part of a coordinated effort with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-10, which has mobilized various government agencies to uphold the integrity of the electoral process

“The Police Regional Office-10 conducted threat and risk assessments for COMELEC officials to ensure their security during the 2025 election period and prevent violence targeting election officers. Out of 99 election officers in Region 10, 96 were assessed as having no threat, including the Regional Elections Director,” said PCol. Reynante Reyes, chief of the Regional Operations Division.
He added that PNP-10 has also conducted a one-day checkpoint seminar to train personnel on proper procedures for election-related checkpoints, focusing on gun bans, enforcement, and inter-agency coordination.
“To enhance security, our Police Regional Office implemented fragmented and overlapping checkpoints, making it difficult for individuals with illicit intentions to predict locations or times. These unpredictable tactics discourage dangerous and unlawful activities, encouraging stricter adherence to election laws,” Reyes said.
At the checkpoints, PNP-10 confiscated 28 firearms, 25 small arms, three light weapons, other ammunition, and arrested 29 violators. This operation was conducted in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, local traffic management units, the Highway Patrol Group, and the Land Transportation Office.
He also noted that the crime environment in Region 10 has seen significant improvements, with a 37.31 percent drop in index crimes and a 10.34 percent reduction in non-index crimes compared to previous years. Reyes attributed these achievements to aggressive law enforcement, community engagement, and strategic interventions targeting high-risk areas such as Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

COMELEC’s call for a whole-of-nation approach
Misamis Occidental Election Officer Lawyer Rowell Valledor emphasized the importance of a whole-nation approach to election security. He stated that COMELEC directives take precedence over other government orders, particularly regarding personnel movements, to ensure fair and transparent operations.
Valledor also highlighted the role of law enforcement in maintaining peace, enforcing the gun ban, and preventing armed individuals from approaching polling centers. “There is an absolute prohibition within a 50-meter radius of the polling place. Both state and non-state armed actors, whether affiliated with the government or not, are prohibited from being within this radius,” he explained.
To curb election-related offenses, Valledor mentioned that COMELEC has partnered with the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. These agencies will closely monitor threats, vote-buying, and misinformation campaigns related to the elections.
The PNP and NBI cybersecurity units have established a special online campaign monitoring committee to combat false information related to the elections. “At least there is this new committee because many of us are spending time at home or online, and the information we receive may not be accurate. This committee will regulate misinformation and hold accountable those who unfairly campaign during the upcoming elections,” Valledor said.
As the May 12, 2025 elections approach, government agencies are continuing to collaborate to uphold democracy. Valledor compared this collective effort to NASA’s historic moon landing mission, emphasizing that every individual—from security forces to election officers—plays a vital role in ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election. (Recthie T. Paculba/PIA-10)

Northern Mindanao RDC members, solons review FY 2026 regional budget proposals

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Northern Mindanao Congresspersons scrutinized the proposed regional budget of P416.04 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The proposal includes 46 agency regional offices, government-owned and controlled corporations, and 11 state universities and colleges.
During the Joint RDC-X Full Council and Advisory Committee Meeting on February 6, 2025, at the Chali Resort and Conference Center, the proposed budgets were endorsed to the agency central offices (ACOs) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for inclusion in the FY 2026 National Expenditure Program, subject to modifications requested by the congresspersons and RDC-X members.
The Infrastructure and Utilities Development Sector holds the largest share of the regional budget proposal at P224.69 billion (54%), with 95.05 percent allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways-X for national road and flood control projects.
The Social Development Sector follows with P146.59 billion (35.20%), of which 45 percent is designated for the Department of Education-X to enhance basic education services and improve lifelong learning.
The Economic Development Sector has a proposed budget of P38.72 billion (9.31%), with 84.27 percent primarily allocated for farm-to-market road projects under the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10.
Lastly, the Macro and Development Administration Sector proposes P6.03 billion (1.45%) for various catalytic infrastructure projects, including police stations and army camp development.
The final budget proposals, incorporating the comments, recommendations, and requested augmentations from congresspersons and RDC-X members, will be submitted—along with the RDC-X endorsement—to the relevant ACOs and the DBM in March 2025.
“These budget proposals are more than just numbers; they reflect our priorities, the needs of our communities, and our collective vision for Northern Mindanao’s growth and progress,” said Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, RDC-X Chairperson and Lanao del Norte Provincial Governor.
The regional budget preparation process began with the Regional Budget Forum on January 8, 2025, followed by handholding activities, stakeholder consultations, and sectoral committee meetings, concluding on February 4, 2025.
“We are fortunate to have with us the esteemed members of our Advisory Committee, particularly our Region X Congresspersons, who play a crucial role in ensuring that the budget proposals we endorse today are effectively advocated in Congress and eventually in the Senate,” added Dimaporo.
The meeting was co-convened by Rufus B. Rodriguez, Representative of Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd Congressional District.
The FY 2026 budget proposal represents a 321 percent increase compared to the FY 2025 GAA-approved budget, highlighting the region’s intensified funding needs for social, macro administration, economic, and infrastructure development priorities. (NEDA-X/PIA-10)

PNP IAS chief visits Bukidnon to honor police service, strengthen integrity

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Inspector General of the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Brigido De Jesus Dulay visited Bukidnon on January 20 to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the local police force while emphasizing the importance of integrity in public service

During his first command visit and inspection at Camp Captain Ramon Onahon, Provincial Director Colonel Jovit L. Culaway and the Bukidnon police hosted a welcome ceremony for the PNP IAS chief from the national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (BukPPO) honored Dulay with an arrival ceremony at the camp’s Grandstand, demonstrating solidarity and readiness for the inspection and audit.

In his speech, Dulay expressed heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and commitment of the country’s police officers.

“I recognize the weight of your responsibilities, the sacrifices you endure, and the risks you face daily. Your work requires courage, resilience, and heart. For this, I extend my respect and gratitude. Thank you for your service and sacrifices for the nation,” he said.

He emphasized the core values that every officer must uphold—integrity, accountability, commitment, and fairness—stressing that these principles are essential for building public trust and ensuring high-quality police service.

“Policing is more than a job; it is a calling with the highest expectations. Let us fulfill these for ourselves, those we serve, the families who depend on us, and the nation we have pledged to protect,” Dulay reminded the officers.

The visit allowed PNP Bukidnon to engage directly with the IAS Chief, reinforcing their commitment to integrity, accountability, and community trust while demonstrating the government’s efforts to enhance PNP professionalism under the vision “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Ang Gusto ng Pulis Ligtas Ka.” (Jessa M. Cleopas/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Police unearth NPA terrorists’ weapons cache in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 19, 2024/PIA) –The Philippine National Police (PNP) uncovered five M16 rifles, 38 assorted magazines, a caliber 45 pistol, firearm parts, and rounds of ammunition hidden underground by the New People’s Army-Communist Terrorist Group (NPA-CTG) under Platoon Mercedes, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC5-NCMRC)

The joint operation of Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao Cagayan de Oro Satellite Office; Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-10; 1st Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC); and Barangay Dominorog’s Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay led the recovery of the communist terrorist group’s (CTG) arms cache, early morning of January 6 this year in the hinterlands of San Rafael village in Talakag, Bukidnon.

Police Colonel Ramil Montilla, APC-EM executive officer, credited the discovery and recovery of firearms to former New People’s Army members who surrendered and narrated the hardships they faced and their families’ miseries while they were with the NPA-CTG as combatants.

“Malaki ang impact nitong recovered firearms kasi nabawasan ang kanilang capabilities na magwagi against the government forces. Malaking kawalan ito sa kanila. (The recovered firearms have a significant impact on the rebels, reducing their ability to oppose government forces—a substantial loss for them),” Montilla said.

He explained that all recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to check for previous use in crimes. Those records, he said, will also undergo cross-referencing in the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Unit for any existing information.

Weakening of rebel group

The government forces succeed after two operations against the NPA-CTG in just one week.

Montilla said the credit also goes to the APC-EM for their focused efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ intensified military operations, and the relentless law enforcement of the Philippine National Police that forced the rebels to move around to avoid detection and arrest.

The government’s whole-of-nation strategy, outlined in EO 70 that addressed concerns in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), encouraged the mass surrender of former rebels and supporters.

Similarly, the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay deployment in GIDAs establishes safe and conflict-resilient communities.

Montilla also said that the presence of the R-PSB in NPA-infiltrated areas encouraged the former rebels to divulge information to authorities, which lessened the terrorists’ foothold in the area.

“It demonstrates that the CTG has no identified mass bases to rely on. The people’s view toward public safety forces is noticeable,” he said.

In retaliation of NPA-CTGs

Brigadier General Michele Anayron, 403rd brigade commander, said that after two successful operations on December 25 and January 6, the government forces, including the APC-EM CDO SATO, are prepared for any potential retaliation by the NPA rebels.

However, Anayron emphasized that if one would look at the NPA-CTG’s pattern of retaliation in the past, most were against vulnerable soft targets.

“Since there are ongoing development projects like road opening and concreting, contractors are being targeted. In April, at Sitio Mahagwa, Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong town, the said group committed an act of terrorism by burning two units of backhoe. We are actively pursuing them, collaborating with the PNP Mobile Force in an ongoing joint operation,” Anayron said.

The APC-EM urges the community and business sector to report any CTG group sightings to prevent potential criminal acts.

The APC-EM and 403rd Infantry Brigade call on active NPA members and CTG-affiliated groups to abandon armed struggles, emphasizing the government’s readiness to assist them and their families through various programs. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA10)