Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias II yesterday challenged the 121 male and female police personnel who graduated from the Special Counter-insurgency Unit Training to prove their skills in fighting the war against terrorism.

Macias was the guest of honor and speaker during the graduation rites of the PNP SCOUT Class 17-2008, who completed almost two months of training in Barangay Banga, Bayawan City in southern Negros Oriental.

Macias expressed hope that some of the graduates will be assigned in Negros Oriental, considering that the Philippine National Police is expected to take over the internal security operations from the Philippine Army soon.

“Let us hope that you can contribute a piece of your training to the peace and order of this province, for the citizens to live peacefully, to be confident in their homes”, Macias said.

He added that parents will have peace of mind in sending their children to school without any fear and expecting them to come back, especially in hinterland areas affected by the insurgency.

Macias also said the province is willing to accept all the graduates if they will be given to the province.

It was not immediately known where the SCOUTs will be assigned after graduation, although many are expected to be returned to their mother units.

Only a few of the graduates come from Negros Oriental, but Macias said he hopes that those who come from the province and the others who might want to be assigned in it are already acquainted with the terrain and the people.

PNP provincial director Senior Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr. said he also hopes to have some of the fresh graduates assigned to the province to boost the police force here.

He said that it would be advantageous to the police force in Negros Oriental to have more personnel trained in counter-insurgency in preparation for the takeover by the PNP of the responsibility from the Philippine Army.*JFP

back to top