By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental remains safe based on the latest threat assessments among local chief executives (LCEs) in response to the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo on March 4.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, Police Col. Leo Pamittan, told him everything is fine.
He also got information regarding the results of the meeting between the higher ups of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and his counterparts in the League of Governors of the Philippines.
Lacson said it was determined the direction that needs to be taken is data and intelligence gathering.
“In fact even Iloilo governor Toto Defensor has said there should be constant assessment of the situation in their [respective] areas and that is true for all of us,” Lacson pointed out.
Earlier, the governor said he doesn’t see a need to beef up his own personal security despite offers from the PNP national headquarters itself, pointing out as long as he is aware of the situation and the areas he visits, then he would always be guided by it.
Despite this however, security at the Negros Occidental provincial capitol has been stepped up.
NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, said all police chiefs in the province were ordered to contact their respective LCEs and conduct threat assessments.
So far, however, Catalogo said the LCEs said they currently do not see any serious threats to their security, although some have acknowledged receiving threats in the past.
“We remind our local chief executives not to be complacent,” Catalogo added./PN
