Personnel of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) were told to stay vigilant and always say a prayer as they continue to face risks in their work as law enforcers.
Col. Romy Palgue, officer-in-charge of NOCPPO, issued the reminder on Thursday after a police officer of the Valladolid municipal police was shot by an unidentified man inside a pawnshop in neighboring San Enrique town.
“We often face risks with the nature of our job as law enforcers. We should be watchful and prayerful so we can overcome,” Palgue said.
On Wednesday, Staff Sgt. Adan Bello, 42, sustained multiple wounds from bullets of a caliber .45 pistol fired by a man wearing a beanie and driving a black Suzuki Raider motorcycle, initial investigation showed.
The gunman fled along with companions on another motorcycle while Bello was brought to a hospital by responding personnel of the San Enrique municipal police. He is now in stable condition.
Palgue said investigators were working to identify the assailants and know their motives.
“We are doing our best to put an end to these atrocities,” he said, warning policemen to be on guard all the time since lawless elements are just waiting for opportunities to strike.
Meanwhile, Palgue said the NOCPPO conducted an inventory of its search and rescue (SAR)-trained personnel and equipment in preparation for response to the ongoing unrest of Mt. Kanlaon.
They will be deployed to help affected Negrenses when the alert level requires mandatory evacuation, he said.
to be deployed is a platoon of 32 personnel based at the provincial police headquarters in this city.
Both the 1st and 2nd Negros Occidental Police Mobile Force Company have also set up a platoon each while police stations near Mt. Kanlaon were also directed to prepare one SAR team each.
Among the local government units located near the volcano are the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the municipalities of Murcia, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla. (Nanette Guadalquiver)