BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged the Negros Occidental police officers yesterday to be legal and moral troops.
In dealing with problems involving criminality, illegal drugs, and insurgency, Lacson said that while the task of policemen and women involves the legal use of “force”, when necessary and required, they are sometimes met with resistance from those subject to it.
There were instances in the past years where authorities in Negros Occidental have to defend themselves in performing their official functions, especially at the height of Oplan Tokhang campaign in 2016, where several drug personalities were killed.
“This is the part where your job gets more complex, especially in the face of public scrutiny,” Lacson told key staff officers of the NOCPPO, led by Col. Romy Palgue, chiefs of police, and mobile force company commanders, who paid a New Year’s call on him at the Provincial Social Hall in Bacolod City yesterday.
“Police work requires a great balancing act between law enforcement and the preservation of liberty,” he said.
Lacson rallied police officers to continue building a God-centered and service-oriented PNP, for the sake of the nation, and for the good cops who continue to work and sacrifice for the community.
Palgue thanked Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, and the provincial government, local chief executives, and other stakeholders for their support to the law and order campaign.
He said this made the NOCPPO rank first in the performance evaluation rating, among provincial and highly-urbanized city police offices in Western Visayas last year.
Lacson also acknowledged NOCPPO for their selfless service as frontliners in the campaign against the Covid pandemic, that at times were rendered beyond the limits of endurance, that he deeply admired and appreciated, he said.
“And for our men and women in uniform, whom we lost in this war against the Covid-19, may we honor their sacrifice with our continued courage and service up to the day that humanity will be free again,” he said.
Lacson also emphasized the need for police visibility in all towns and cities of Negros Occidental, adding this will create trust and connection, especially in this time when the people need more reassurance. The sound coordination and relations between the police force, local government units, and the citizenry is more imperative than ever, not just for the promotion of the law, order, and public safety, but also for the effective delivery of public services, he added.*
