Additional checkpoints ordered
With the approaching May national and local elections, PROCOR Regional Director PBGEN RONALD O. LEE ordered additional checkpoints to be conducted in strategic areas of the region.
“Magdadagdag kami ng checkpoints sa strategic areas. Mobile po iyan at hindi po permanent,” PBGEN LEE in his statement during the Kapihan sa PROCOR held at Masigasig Grandstand, Camp Major Bado Dangwa on February 9, 2022.
A total of 105 fixed COMELEC checkpoints are being operated in the Cordillera region with 29 checkpoints in Abra, 16 in Kalinga, 15 in Benguet, 12 in BCPO, and 11 each in Apayao and Mountain Province.
With the instruction, police presence and crime deterrence activities of PROCOR will significantly increase.
According to COMELEC Resolution No. 10741, the establishment and operation of Comelec checkpoints, examination of violations of transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, and the employment and engagement of services of security personnel and bodyguards are to be undertaken in relation with the May 9 national and local elections.
While, according to the records of the Regional Operations Management Division (ROMD), since the start of the election period last January 9, four individuals were already apprehended and facing charges for violation of the COMELEC gun ban. Two in Abra, one in Benguet, and another one in Kalinga.
Also, one incident of a shoot-out between the police officers and an armed criminal was recorded in Abra.
150 cops transferred to ensure their being non-partisan
As a proactive approach to ensure the nonpartisan status of cops, the PROCOR regional director ordered the transfer of some 150 police officers having relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity vying for an elective post in the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.
In a statement, PBGEN LEE said that the move is to help prevent the allegations of police officers campaigning and intervening on behalf of their relatives.
”Para maiwasan na rin ang speculations at pagdududa na sila ay tumutulong doon sa pangangampanya sa kanilang kamag-anak” PBGEN LEE said.
According to PBGEN LEE, the police officers will be transferred to other areas outside the cities, municipalities, and provinces where their relatives are seeking elective posts.
The reassignment is temporary and will last until the end of the election period or until they are instructed to go back to their previous assignments.
PBGEN LEE also reminded the 9,179 strong PROCOR cops to remain apolitical and vowed to hold accountable any of PROCOR cop who will violate this.
A monument to Captain Juan Duyan
A monument for Captain Juan M. Duyan was unveiled and inaugurated on the grounds of the Kalinga PPO at Brgy. Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
Coinciding with the celebration of Kalinga Day, the simple inauguration and unveiling ceremony was attended by PROCOR Regional Director PBGEN RONALD O LEE.
Other key personalities who were present in the ceremony were PRO2 Regional Director PBGEN STEVE B. LUDAN, Congressman Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, and Governor Ferdinand B. Tubban.
Present also were the family members of the late Captain Duyan.
The ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony was led by PBGEN LUDAN along with Mr. Juan Victor Duyan Jr., son of former Hon. Duyan. They were assisted by the Acting Provincial Director of Kalinga PPO, PCOL PETER M. TAGTAG, JR.
Followed by the unveiling of a commemorative marker graced by PBGEN LEE and the blessing of the monument officiated by REV FR (PLTCOL) JONATHAN L CHY.
Considered as a Kalinga hero, the late Honorable and Captain Juan M. Duyan became the first elective chief executive of the province of Kalinga-Apayao. His great leadership gave rise to the congressional approval of the law which divided the old Mountain Province into four political subdivisions and one of which was Kalinga- Apayao.
Captain Duyan fought courageously in the Bataan campaign and helped in organizing guerilla units under the USAFIP-NL. **
