Chan steps down as RPOC-7 chair

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan has stepped down as chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Region VII as he prepares to assume office as the elected representative of the city’s lone district.

In an interview, Chan expressed hope that the next RPOC-7 chair will continue to prioritize public safety and peace and order in the region.

“I hope that the next chairman will be atong RPOC 7 tutokan pag ayo na ma maintain gyud nato ang peace and order sa region-7,” he said.

With the chairmanship now vacant, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 Director Leocadio Trovela said that three to five nominees will be submitted to the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC).

Nominees should be a local chief executive, such as a mayor or governor, and an existing member of the council will be submitted by DILG to the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and the selection is to be appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

“Mayor or governors, mayors of highly urbanized cities,” Trovela emphasized.

Until a new chairperson is appointed, regional directors from either the Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) will temporarily preside over RPOC-7 meetings.

During the council’s Second Quarter Meeting, Chan was presented with a Plaque of Appreciation for his service and contributions as chairperson. In a Facebook post following the event, he expressed gratitude to DILG and RPOC-7.

MCPO bolsters emergency response

Meanwhile, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has intensified its field deployment of personnel, following the PNP’s directive to position 90 percent of police officers on the streets for faster response.

MCPO Director Police Col. Cirilo B. Acosta Jr. said the initiative aims to ensure that police can respond to incidents within three to five minutes anywhere in the city.

“We send our people outside to the streets, so that they could attend to the situation, any situation, immediately,” he saId.

To validate its implementation, MCPO held an emergency response simulation on June 18. The team reached the designated site, Angelecum Garden of Angels in Barangay Canduman, just four minutes and 21 seconds after the mock call at noon.

To overcome common obstacles like traffic, the MCPO has deployed motorcycle units to key areas.

Police presence is also heightened during peak hours—6 to 7 a.m., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m.—with officers assigned near schools and other high-traffic zones to ensure safety.

Acosta said the city’s police force has conducted over 2,200 simulation drills in the past six months to boost coordination and readiness.

Both administrative and patrol officers are tapped for deployment, with support from drone surveillance and team patrols.

“We do this regularly, announced and unannounced, so that our people will be on their toes, will be sharp always and ready to attend to any situation,” said Acosta.

In a separate interview, outgoing RPOC-7 Chair Chan welcomed the deployment boost, citing its importance in sustaining public peace.

“Dako na kaayo na siya’g ikatabang para sa peace and order nato sa matag lugar,” Chan said. — Giane Kate Pilapil and Gwyneth Lynn Geonzon, CNU Interns (FREEMAN)