Bato commends PRO-8 for ‘job well done’

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) received a commendation from PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for “a job well done” in securing the Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations in the region.

PRO-8 Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, said the congratulatory message was sent to him by Bato via a text message on January 1, while lauding the regional force for their “snappy performance of duty” during the holidays.

Bato also commended the chiefs of police units in Eastern Visayas for the successful implementation of the Ligtas Paskuhan, which recorded zero death of firecracker-related incidents, and no victim of stray bullets, said Beltejar.

As of 12 noon on January 1, the PRO-8 recorded a total of 18 law enforcement operations in compliance with Republic Act 7183 (regulation on use of firecrackers/pyro techniques), and one joint inspections/operations with concerned government agencies and non-government agencies.

He said that his office recorded no death but only 6 injured on firecracker/pyro technique related incident; only one incident of indiscriminate firing perpetrated by a civilian and zero indiscriminate firing committed by the police and the military personnel and zero death and injury on indiscriminate firing related incidents.

PRO-8 records only showed six injuries and only one indiscriminate firing incident committed by a civilian whose name was not yet divulged to the public.

Beltejar thanked the public for their support and cooperation to the police that resulted in the effectiveness and efficiency in law enforcement.

Meanwhile, PRO-8 had issued an advisory urging the public to report immediately to the police any suspicious persons and items, and to help the police and other law enforcers in ensuring public safety by providing relevant and timely information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects. — (FREEMAN)