New police station seen to crack insurgency in Negros Oriental village

CEBU, Philippines — The establishment of a police sub-station in Santa Catalina town, Negros Oriental is seen to help address insurgency there.

The station in Sitio Kakha, Talalac, a mountain village, was inaugurated last Saturday.

Talalac is reportedly among the most rebel-infested communities in the province. It was once tagged as a “no man’s island” by authorities due to the presence of insurgents.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) Director Ronnie Montejo said the new station and presence of police force there could be a big factor in their campaign against insurgency.

At least 30 policemen and some members of the Provincial Mobile Force Company will man the sub-station and help secure the village.

Montejo said residents will no longer have to travel to the town proper to report incidents/crimes.

Talalac is roughly 13 kilometers from the town’s national highway.

“If there are problems or emergencies, they can immediately report them to or immediately seek help from the sub-station,” said Montejo.

He said delay in police response will now be unlikely with the new sub-station.

Talalac village chief Edmar Digay said residents would find it difficult to report peace and security related issues to the police station in the town owing to the distance and transportation cost.

He said the substation will be of great help to the residents. The barangay is home to at least 6,000 residents.

“Og unsa man ang problema sa barangay, maglisod ang mga katawhan og lugsong tungod sa kalay-on ug gasto plite,” he said.

The sub-station was an initiative of Philippine National Police chief and former PRO-7 director Debold Sinas. He lobbied for the project in 2019 when he was still PR0-7 chief.

In line with the inauguration ceremony, PRO-7 and the municipal government conducted an outreach program.

At least 500 residents benefited from the medical check-up, relief operation, and haircut services, among others

Montejo said the initiative was their way of strengthening relationship with the community. — KQD (FREEMAN)