New Cordillera police chief bares 3-point peace agenda

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – The new leadership of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera Friday spelled out a 3-point agenda in sustaining peace and order efforts in the region which will be a key factor in charting the development of far flung villages.

Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, newly-installed police regional director, said the region’s police force are easy to work with, thus, it will be easier on his part to map out strategies to sustain peace and order campaign in the Cordillera.

One of Magalong’s main thrusts is to aggressively pursue the 10-point agenda of Philippine National Police chief Director-General Nicanor A. Bartolome with emphasis on implementation of the one policeman, one barangay policy; arrest of wanted persons and the 24-7 operation of police stations regionwide.

Bartolome presided over the turnover of command between retiring Chief Supt. Villamor A. Bumanglag, a member of Class 1979 of the Philippine Military Academy and Magalong, a member of PMA Class of 1982.

Magalong also underscored the importance of all policemen being familiar with community relations work since the setback of police operations could not only be attributed to failure of intelligence work but also equally a failure of police community relations.

The new police official, who was the executive officer of the Directorate for Police Community Relations over the past ten months, cited he saw the importance of aggressive community relations efforts in achieving the PNP’s goal of bringing peace and order in the countryside and allowing the influx of development therefore.

Magalong, a known tactician and a respected intelligence and operations officer, pointed out the need for information technology enhancement within the regional police force and its operating units.

The police official assured different local leaders and the community of optimum police service that will guarantee lasting peace in the different parts of the region, especially in remote communities where their services are needed.

Considering the diverse culture of the Cordillera, Magalong emphasized need to come out with strategies that will be in accordance with the existing policy of the current leadership so that lasting peace in the region will be achieved the soonest.

Bartolome urged Magalong to implement the PNP 10-point agenda so law enforcers will be effective and efficient in attending to the needs of people.