PNP-community teamwork highlights PCR month

LEGAZPI CITY --- The success of law enforcement depends on the coordination and collaboration between the police and the community.

The National Police Commission in Bicol (Napolcom-5) underscored this as the National Police Commission, the Philippine National Police Office in Bicol (PNP-5) and members of its technical working group (TWG) geared up for the nationwide observance of Police Community Relations Month (PCRM) this month of July.

“Peace and order is not only the concern of the police but of the whole community. The PCRM is an opportune time to strengthen community participation in crime prevention,” said lawyer Josephmar Gil, the Napolcom-5 regional director.

This year’s theme, “Sambayanan, Mahalagang Kaakibat ng Kapulisan sa Pagtaguyod ng Mapayapa at Maunlad na Bayan,” acknowledges that the police’s strong partnership with the community is the key in preventing crime and disorder.

“The cooperation of the public is very important in attaining a secure and peaceful community. Law enforcement is a whole-of- nation approach where everyone works together,” Gil said.

The observance kicked off with a foot parade and opening program last Monday (July 1) at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City.

The Napolcom was to set up a one-stop information shop in a mall in Legazpi City “to let the public know the programs on crime and drug prevention, issues on insurgency and the mandate of Napolcom as well as other PCRM- TWGs including the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,” Gil added.

This month, Napolcom will also undertake a quad media campaign, community outreach activities, blood-letting, lectures on crime and drug abuse prevention in schools, and forum on police recruitment.

The yearly observance of PCRM was institutionalized by Presidential Proclamation No. 764 to develop closer interaction between the police and the community in handling peace and order concerns. (PIA-5)