• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region is deploying 1,162 police personnel in strategic key areas of Negros Island Region, as it placed its troops on heightened alert status, in line with the scheduled “Trillion Peso March” and other related protest actions on September 21, as the nation also marks the 1972 declaration of martial law.
The march in Bacolod City is organized by the One Negros Ecumenical Council led by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who expects more than 6,000 participants protesting systemic corruption in the government. Also joining them are public transport groups, civil society groups, and progressive organizations.
PLt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-NIR, disclosed that the 1,162 personnel will be assigned to critical operational duties, including fixed visibility posts, mobile and motorcycle patrols, foot patrols, traffic management, Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) units, RSSF, and drone operations to enhance situational awareness and response.
PRO-NIR assures the community that police personnel across Negros Island and Siquijor are on heightened alert and deployed strategically to maintain peace and order, manage traffic, and provide assistance to commuters who may be affected by the transport strike and other forms of public demonstrations, Malong said.
She added that they have coordinated with local government units, transport groups, and other stakeholders to minimize disruptions and prevent any untoward incidents.
The PRO-NIR, she added, reiterates its call to all participants to exercise their rights responsibly and peacefully.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, warned that any attempt to exploit the situation for violence or illegal activities will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
While the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, which we fully recognize and are sworn to protect, Ibay said they also have a solemn duty to ensure that public safety, order, and the rights of others are equally upheld.
Former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who is leading the Paghimud-os Negros (PNI) in joining the march rally, said “this is only the beginning of a cleansing and reform process to protect the public interest and government funds from greedy government officials and their cohorts.”
To stop the corruption, Coscolluela stressed the need for transparency in order to minimize, or prevent corruption, accountability measures to censure and punish the guilty, civil society should engage with government to protect the public interest, and to initiate proactive measures, to ensure that public funds do not go to waste, or to the pockets of crooks.
It will not be easy, but if we want to fight and stop the systematic corruption and misgovernance, we need to stand up, speak out, and say “Tama Na” (Enough is enough), he added.
Ibay called on all participants to exercise their freedoms with responsibility and respect, as he also encouraged the public to remain calm, cooperative and vigilant.*
