Police vow stronger presence despite being undermanned

By Marlon Atun and Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Bicol region on Friday vowed to carry out President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directives for a stronger police presence in the streets, despite facing personnel shortage.

Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, director of the Police Regional Office – Bicol, said that he has already repositioned police personnel, vehicles, and equipment in key strategic locations.

This enhanced police visibility on busy streets is expected to reduce response times to public requests for assistance, Dizon said.

“Dineploy natin ang ating mga personnel sa mga pampublikong lugar sa rush hours sa umaga at sa hapon nang sa gayon mapabilis lalo yung pagresponde kapag may kailangang police assistance. Ito po ay nag ani ng positive response sa ating mga komunidad dahil ito po nag-record ng pagbaba ng krimen dito sa sa ating region,” Dizon told the Philippine Information Agency.

Every police station in the region is equipped with essential logistics and resources to support daily operations and emergency deployments., he said.

Dizon said that police officers patrolling the streets are provided with two-way radio systems. This technology allows them to quickly communicate urgent requests to the nearest police station, ensuring a rapid mobilization of personnel.

“May shifts supervisors po tayo, tapos gumagamit ng cellphone application to serve us two-way radio na maga-transmit immediately in real time sa ating command center, so any call for emergency, itong nasa pulis na nasa kalsada he will report it to the command center for the commander to decide kung anung force ang ipapadala dun sa scene of the crime,” he said.

As of May 23, 2005, the police force in Bicol consists of a total of 11,289 personnel, which includes 604 police commissioned officers, 10,082 police non-commissioned officers, and 603 non-uniformed personnel.

According to the National Police Commission, the ideal ratio of police officers to the region’s population is 1:500. However, the current ratio for the PNP Bicol stands at 1:603, indicating that they are somewhat undermanned.

Despite this personnel shortage, officials believe that their equipment, vehicles, and resources can compensate for the lack of personnel.

“We will utilize all our resources, personnel, logistical and financial resources, we will always use them, utilize them, to the optimum level,” he added.

Dizon emphasized the commitment to a 5-minute response target but noted that response times in rural and geographically isolated areas may exceed this timeframe due to distance and security challenges.

However, he assured the public that the police would respond as quickly as possible given the circumstances.

In Masbate, police officers have been cycling through the provincial capital to enhance their presence in the community.

Led by Police Provincial Director Colonel Jefferson Araojo, these bicycle patrols aim to increase visibility, particularly in identified hubs within Masbate City.

The PNP is encouraging bicycle patrols to support environmental conservation and reduce pollution, Araojo said.

Araojo highlighted the importance of a visible police presence in high foot traffic areas to enhance community security. (PIA Bicol)