New police chief-6 to strengthen peacekeeping groups

By Elsa S. Subong

Monday 6th of August 2012

ILOILO CITY, Aug 6 (PIA) -- The newly-installed Regional Police Office-6 director has ordered the 100 percent activation of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs).

Regional Police Office-6 Director CSupt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said he vowed to strengthen grassroots approach in maintaining peace and order in the villages and augment this with the presence of police officers.

Cruz’ s predecessor, CSupt. Cipriano Querol started BPATs during his time and has activated 80 percent of BPAT as a form of community policing in curbing criminal activities.

Among the priorities of the agency is the effective implementation of the Police Community Relations (PCR) by pursuing strategic direction of the plans in operationalizing the approach in the region, Cruz said in media interviews after the change of command ceremonies at Camp Delgado on August 3.

Cruz was former spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, as well as director of the PNP’s PCR group.

He said he will build trust which is the key element in crime prevention, as he would review the current operational plans of Western Visayas and find out the best solutions to adapt and meet the peace and order demands of the region.

In his acceptance speech, Cruz said he will impose a liberal and fair style of leadership, where “good deeds will be rewarded and sloppy work and misbehavior will have corresponding disciplinary measures ”in the region’s police force.

“Criminal cases involving PNP personnel arising from service-related circumstances will be given due consideration,” Cruz added.

Among his other priorities are the continuous trainings of specialized units including the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Cruz became the second former PNP spokesman to assume the top post in PRO-6. The other one was CSupt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Querol’s predecessor.

Querol will now head the PNP’s Special Action Force in Manila. (JCM/ESS-PIA6, Iloilo)