BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) confirmed one local chief executive (LCE) in the province received threats.
Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, NOCPPO spokesperson, on Monday refused to name the LCE and left it to the Philippine National Police-Police Protection Service Group (PNP-PPSG) to identify the local official.
Catalogo said the LCE has already applied to the PNP-PPSG for additional security, although he pointed out a threat assessment will be conducted first.
Based on initial information, the LCE’s threat came from the New People’s Army, and not from a rival political personality or group.
LCEs may avail of additional security from the PNP-PPSG at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headquarters in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City.
While awaiting the PNP-PPSG’s decision, Catalogo said the aforementioned LCE is currently being guarded by personnel provided by NOCPPO.
“Tanan nga LCEs without threat or may ara threat gindugangan naton, ginpa-intense pa gid ang ila security to ensure their safety,” he added.
In Negros Occidental, the political rivalry among officials has been brought down to the local level after the two major political groups in the province – Love Negros led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the United Negros Alliance led by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer – made an alliance.
The political rivalry in the local level has not even flared up during last year’s polls./PN
