• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) will deploy 1,162 personnel in the region’s strategic key areas as it placed its troops on heightened alert status for the “Trillion Peso March” and other-related protest actions on Sept. 21.
The march-rally in Bacolod City is organized by the One Negros Ecumenical Council led by Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who expects more than 6,000 participants, protesting systemic corruption in the government.
Also joining them are the public transport groups, civil society groups and progressive organizations.
PLt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-NIR, said the 1,162 personnel will be assigned to critical operational duties such as fixed visibility posts, mobile and motorcycle patrols, foot patrols, traffic management, and civil disturbance management.
She added that they have coordinated with local government units, transport groups, and other stakeholders to minimize disruptions and prevent any untoward incident.
The PRO-NIR reiterates its call to all participants to exercise their rights responsibly and peacefully, Malong said.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, warned that any attempt to exploit the situation for violence or illegal activities will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
“While the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, which we fully recognize and are sworn to protect, we also have a solemn duty to ensure that public safety, order, and the rights of others are equally upheld,” he said.
Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela, who is leading the Paghimud-os Negros in joining the march-rally, said “this is only the beginning of a cleansing and reform process to protect the public interest and government funds from greedy government officials and their cohorts.”
He stressed the need for transparency in order to minimize or prevent corruption and accountability measures to censure and punish the guilty, adding that civil society should engage with government to protect the public interest and to initiate proactive measures to ensure that public funds do not go to waste or to the pockets of crooks.
“It will not be easy, but if we want to fight and stop the systematic corruption and misgovernance, we need to stand up, speak out, and say “Tama Na” (Enough is enough),” he added. | GB
