The Murcia PNP, headed by PCAPT Marc Joeil Reclamado, expressed its gratitude to Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas and other town officials for the support extended to the Murcia Police Station.
“Recently, Mayor Gerry Rojas turned over to us a brand new 4×4 Toyota Hilux Pick-up for the Murcia PNP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. This new vehicle, together with our existing two patrol vehicles, boosts our capability to maintain the peace and order in the town and to protect Murciahanons from lawless elements,” said Reclamado in a press release.
“In behalf of the Murcia PNP, I thank Mayor Rojas and other town officials for their support, which greatly helps us in the performance of our duties,” he added.
Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOCPPO) Director PCol. Leo Pamitan received the vehicle in behalf of the NOCPPO, and turned it over to Reclamado and his unit.
The NOCPPO director also announced that Reclamado, who was assigned to the post in an acting capacity last July 2022, was confirmed as the full-fledged Murcia PNP Chief effective January 24.
“Murcia is an economically progressive, fast-growing town. With the town’s economic growth, we anticipate new challenges, and we want our police to be highly capable of responding to these challenges. Together with my fellow officials, we want to continually upgrade and strengthen the capabilities of our police force so that they can perform their jobs well,” said Rojas.
“This SWAT vehicle manifests our support to the Murcia PNP. Previously, we procured office equipment and supplies for their use. Last November, we gave them ten hand-held radios. We are currently in the process of procuring high-powered automatic rifles, bullet-proof vests, Kevlar helmets, SWAT uniforms and SWAT ballistic shield,” he added.
Reclamado disclosed that the mayor’s support was largely instrumental in empowering his personnel to fulfill their mandate. Aside from their usual activities in preserving peace and order, they continuously run after suspects with warrants of arrest, and they also relentlessly fight the scourge of illegal drugs. Moreover, the Murcia PNP regularly conducts drug awareness campaigns in schools and in the barangays.
He cited that some areas in Murcia are “dead spots” with no telephone signal. This can be addressed if the Murcia PNP has more radios and repeaters to facilitate faster communication.
“When I was assigned in another LGU, its radio communications were harmonized under the PNP. In case of emergency, barangay officials contact the PNP thru this VHF channel, and, if it’s a police matter, the PNP then responds or relays the info to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, to the Rural Health Unit, or to any other concerned government agency,” he explained.
Considering the strategic location of the Murcia PNP headquarters, which is between the BFP and MDRRMO offices and just a block away from the RHU, such a harmonized communications system will translate to faster response time for Murciahanons in emergency situations. And if the Murcia PNP has a “mirror screen” which can monitor the CCTVs connected to the MDRRMO, the police can respond faster to crisis situations.
“Our present PNP personnel to population ratio is 1:1,974, although the ideal is 1:1,400, but we address this thru multi-tasking. More personnel will be very welcome, as well as more resources to further bolster our communications and mobility. We fully appreciate the support of the LGU under Mayor Gerry Rojas, and we assure all Murciahanons that we will steadfastly serve and protect them,” Reclamado stressed.*
