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| Vol. XX No. 44 |
January 10, 2001 |
Virac, Catanduanes |
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The Catanduanes Tribune Rawis, Virac Catanduanes, Philippines - 5001 Tel. No.: (052) 811-1267 or 811-2640 Fax No.: (052) 811-1267 E-mail:
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Publisher-Editor Edwin A. Gianan |
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Advertising- Circulation Manager Simeon G. Cueno |
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Web Master: Calgary, Canada |
Major Developments
New
PNP head favors talks
with Reds
Newly-appointed
PNP provincial director Supt. Freddie O. Panen eschews violence and wants
peace talks with local communist rebels but is equally willing to slug it
out in battle if need be.
This
was the impression gathered by the Tribune last week at Camp Camacho when
it chanced upon the new PD after his arrival by ferry boat from the Bicol
mainland.
In
an interview at his office, Col. Panen said he is willing to sit down and
talk with representatives of so-called dissident terrorists, saying that
he is sure that nobody wants violence in this island.
He
bared that his predecessor, Col. Rolando O. Gonzales, has briefed him of
the formation and training of the Village Defense Units (VDUs) in
threatened barangays in Catanduanes but said he will have to study the
issue before taking any action.
Panen
told the Tribune that the turnover of command was held only last Thursday,
Jan. 4, in Camp Simeon Ola although the order for relinquishment and
assumption of command took effect Dec. 28, 2000. He said it was Supt.
Gonzales who requested that the turnover rites be held at the PNP regional
police office.
The new provincial director also vowed to ensure an atmosphere of openness in his relations with the local media, adding that he's sure that the media will write all that is good and bad in the police force. "Maybe I can learn something from you," he stated.
Col. Panen said he will be making a courtesy call on Governor Hector S. Sanchez as per protocol, before visiting the offices of Rep. Leandro B. Verceles, Jr., the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Virac Mayor Jose U. Alberto II and other political, civic and religious leaders in the locality.
In a press statement released last Saturday, Col. Panen says he intends to operationalize the Kasurog Community-Oriented Concept (COPS) as a primary institution in crime prevention against undisciplined elements of society and will be integrated with the Police Beat Strategy.
In support of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), he hopes to institutionalize cooperation, periodic training, and actual emergency drills to mitigate the ill effects of calamities brought by perennial typhoons.
Col. Panen also advocates the promotion of public safety in all streets, parks, schools and other public places with the support of barangay officials, purok presidents, school officials, non-government organizations and responsible people in the community through the conduct of seminars.
Recognizing the power of local chief executives over the PNP as provided by law, Panen also expressed hope that he would be able to improve the peace and order situation Catanduanes by bringing down crime volume and improving crime solution efficiency of police stations all over the province.
