The deployment of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force in Negros Occidental is a good start to the eventual turnover of internal security operations from the Philippine Army to the PNP, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.

If the plan pushes through, Lactao, who supervises the peace and development campaign in Negros Occidental, said the Army may not abandon the province entirely, as the PNP is targeting to achieve a ratio of one policeman per 500 population ratio.

Commanders of the newly-arrived 6th Special Action Force Battalion are set to attend a Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center meeting today at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, for an orientation on how JPSCC works and on the “cultural sensitivity of Negrenses”, Lactao said.

The provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras and Siquijor are among the areas in Visayas that have been turned over by the Philippine Army to their local government units and PNP, after they were declared insurgent-free by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, military records show.

At present, there are three Army battalions deployed in Negros Occidental, on top of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion, six maneuver platoon units of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, the 6th Special Action Force Battalion and CAFGU units, the military said.

Lactao, however, debunked claims that Negros Occidental is being “militarized”, with thousands of military and police personnel deployed to the province.

“What we are after is the visibility ratio of one policeman per 500 population, that is now impossible to reach by the PNP”, he said, adding that the Army and SAF will continue to assist the manpower requirements, which is aimed at preventing crimes and terrorism.

Lactao said they aim to further reduce the armed strength and capability of the NPA in northern Negros, before waging similar campaigns in central and southern Negros.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental provincial police director, said the 6th SAF Battalion is being eyed for deployment in Escalante City, while a company-sized unit of the 6th RPSB will be moved to other areas.

Guisihan, however, said the utilization of SAF troopers in the internal security operations will always be in close coordination with the Philippine Army.

Because of their extensive knowledge in urban guerilla warfare, Guisihan said he may also utilize the SAF unit in the training of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) members in the province.*GPB

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