• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Different police units in Western VIsayas got a boost in firepower and mobility, after receiving a share of the P1.48 billion in new mission essential equipment from Camp Crame.
The equipment comprises of 167 units Galil Ace and Emtan Basic Assault Rifles with 60,127 rounds of ammunition, 83 tactical vests, 83 combat helmets, 250 undershirt vests, 267 raincoats, and 14 units of Mitsubishi 4×4 and Toyota Hilux 4×2 vehicles, which were distributed yesterday to recipients at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City.
PBrig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, regional police director of Western Visayas, led the distribution of equipment to the police unit recipients, which also coincided with the sendoff ceremony of security personnel to various areas in Region 6 for election duties.
Of the 21,694 security personnel up for election duties, 12,486 are police personnel, 30 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 6,741 Army soldiers, and 2,437 from the Bureau of Fire Protection.
In a statement, PMaj. Mary Grace Socorro Borio, regional police spokesperson, said the activity is aimed at emphasizing the importance of a secure, peaceful, and transparent electoral process by mobilizing various government agencies and stakeholders.
Comelec regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan; Maj.Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Samson; 301st Infantry Brigade commander, PLt. Gen Patrick Villacorte, commander of the Area Police Command – Visayas; Commodore Arnaldo Lim, PCG Western Visayas commander; and representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Education, participated in the activity.
Borio said all of them pledged their commitment to upholding the sanctity of our electoral system.*
