National Police Commission (Napolcom)-Western Visayas Regional Director Joseph Celis has pushed for continued concerted effort among various sectors to prevent crime.
“We must underscore that the government has continuously pursued and is earnestly exerting efforts in implementing a unified approach involving all sectors to effectively deter crime,” Celis said in his speech during the kick-off ceremony of the 25th National Crime Prevention Week held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity in Bacolod, recently.
The activity, anchored on the theme “Buhay Pahalagahan, Komunidad Magtulungan, Krimen Hadlangan”, was attended by officials and personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as well as local government officials, barangay peacekeeping action teams, and students.
“Considering the varied problems confronting Philippine society today, we realize that much is left to be done, but your presence today as we commence the National Crime Prevention Week is a manifestation that you are sincerely concerned about preventing criminality,” Celis said.
He pointed out that this year’s theme continues to focus on making the public aware of the Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) System as a crime prevention strategy.
The CSOP is about building cooperative partnership between the law enforcement agencies, local government executives, and community in promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and further strengthening the local government capability for the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.
“The Napolcom and the PNP are working towards bolstering a system of coordination and cooperation among the citizenry, local chief executives, integrated law enforcement and public safety agencies by prescribing CSOP as the foundation and backbone of crime prevention and community policing,” Celis further said.
He added that CSOP is being carried out through program complementation and sharing of funds, personnel and logistics.
Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, director of Police Regional Office-Western Visayas, reiterated that crime prevention and solution do not rely on the competence and dedication of the police alone.
“It is why the Napolcom never wavers to remind everyone, through this annual celebration, that crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Our involvement is necessary and indispensable to make Region 6 a safer place to live, work and do business,” Pamuspusan said in his message read by Col. Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office.
Col. Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, echoed the need for community involvement in crime prevention.
“Maintaining peace and order is nearly impossible without the community’s support. This National Crime Prevention Week, it is my hope that the community is enjoined to share this task with us,” Baleros added. (Nanette Guadalquiver pna via ndb)