General Santos, Philippines

by Pssupt Casimero B Medes

Koronadal City (29 May) — A hundred and ninety two (192) new police non- commissioned officers graduated the PNP Special Counter- Insurgency Training (SCOUT) on 09 May 2008 and were immediately deployed to different offices, giving priority to Provincial Mobile Groups/City Mobile Groups and Municipal Police Stations that are presently in need of additional troops.

In Sarangani Police Provincial Office (SPPO), 13 new PO1s were deployed: Five were assigned to 1206 PPMG; four in Malungon MPS; two in Maasim MPS and two in Maitum MPS.

22 were dispensed in General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) while 32 were assigned in South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO): 22 in 1205 PPMG; two in Tantangan MPS; one in Lake Sebu MPS; five in T’boli MPS and two in Tampakan MPS.

Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office (SKPPO) was also apportioned with 37 new personnel distributed in 1208 PPMG; Columbio MPS; Kalamansig MPS; Palimbang MPS and Sen. Ninoy Aquino MPS. Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) force is also adding 21 new personnel in their roster who will be particularly assigned in 1201 PPMG; Antipas MPS; Arakan MPS; Banisilan MPS; Kabacan MPS; Tulunan MPS; Magpet MPS and Libungan MPS.

The other 68 personnel will be distributed to Cotabato City Mobile group and the different companies of the Regional Mobile Group 12. (PRO12/PIA 12)

by Pssupt Casimero B Medes

Koronadal City (29 May) — Philippine police officers were instructed Wednesday to smile in public or face suspension in an attempt to spruce up their image as rough and rude.

The new guidelines were announced after one of the country’s bloodiest weeks in crime. Ten people were lined up and shot dead in a bank robbery last week, and on Monday, a man went on a killing spree in a farming town that left eight residents dead.

“We are encouraging policemen to be community friendly,” police Director Leopoldo Bataoil said. “There is no place for rough and brusque officers in this organization.”

He said police were responding to public complaints over officers’ behavior at road checkpoints.

“Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you so much. Sir/Ma’am… these are words of courtesy which the public wants to hear from us,” Bataoil said.

He said officers who fail to follow the guidelines will be charged administratively and face suspension. (PRO12/PIA 12)

by Pssupt Casimero B Medes

Koronadal City (29 May) — Police Regional Office 12 will launch “Paggalang sa Watawat” campaign together with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on May 26, 2008 with the theme “Igalang an gating watawat, sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa”. The campaign is the kick off for the celebration of the National Flag Day on May 28 and Independence Day on June 12, 2008.

All Philippine National Police Headquarters, police stations, offices and buildings will prominently display Philippine Flags. PRO 12 regional director Police Chief Superintendent Felizardo M Serapio Jr directed the command group and all territorial commanders to ensure that the tattered, old and/ or discolored Philippine Flags be replaced with a new one. Streamers announcing the 2008 Independence Day with the theme “Republic service, tungo sa Ganap ng kalayaan at Kaunlaran” will also be displayed. (PRO12/PIA 12)

by Pssupt Casimero B Medes

Koronadal City (29 May) — The Philippine National Police 12 is recommending to bank owners to prioritize and invest on security systems in their establishments.

The Joint Anti-Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) convened yesterday in general santos City Police Office Conference Room to discuss new preventive security measures that are being implemented by the PNP.

Police Chief Superintendent Felizardo M Serapio Jr, PRO 12 Chief who presided over the JABRAC conference yesterday urged the City Bankers Association of General Santos City (CBAGS) to make security on top of the bank’s priorities.

The PNP recommended that alarm systems and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems must be among the priorities of banks, including other security measures.

Earlier, PNP Chief, “Mamang Pulis” Director General Avelino I Razon Jr., ordered the implementation of the security clustering system in areas with bank branches and other commercial establishments. Under the security clustering system, a police team under a supervisor will be assigned to provide security in these clustered areas.

Razon also ordered police field units to establish checkpoint operations even during daytime, especially during banking hours. Chiefs of Police were ordered to come out of their offices and personally lead these operations.

The PNP 12 Command Group have conducted inspections of the checkpoint operations in the different areas of the region, primarily to implement the No Plate, No Travel policy, and other violations, mostly violations of policy on commemorative and vanity plates, and plastic plate covers. (PRO12/PIA 12)