Soldiers in the Western Visayas will have no break on Nov. 1 and 2, Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, 3 rd Infantry Division commander, said yesterday.

This is so there will be no disruption in their internal security campaign, as their deadline to reduce the New People's Army into a police problem before June next year, is fast approaching, Porto said.

“While the Filipino people all over the country are celebrating All Saint's Day, our soldiers will be hard at work safeguarding the people of Region 6 from threats of the NPA and other lawless groups,” he also said.

Porto also said the series of successful military operations in both Negros and Panay islands keep their soldiers motivated to continue the upward momentum of their internal security operations.

Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, regional police director, said they will provide 24-hour police visibility and other related public safety services on Nov. 1 and 2 in all towns and cities of Western Visayas .

Cuevas added that he will place on standby the various Special Weapons and Tactics personnel and 6 th Regional Mobile Group troopers, for immediate deployment to any areas of the region, where lawless groups may take advantage of the situation.

The PRO6 also plans to mobilize barangay tanods and volunteer groups to assist them in visibility operations, especially in cemeteries.

In line with the Oplan Kalagkalag 2009 campaign, local police units and Highway Patrol Group are required to establish “Assistance Centers” along the highways, near cemeteries, and terminals where motorists and the public may seek assistance in cases of emergency.

Cuevas said he remains positive that the 7-9-7 duty shift scheme of police personnel, which aims to ensure enough number of policemen to man the police station and render police assistance, will bring down the crime rate in the region.

Cuevas cited the foiled bank heist in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and the solutions of several robbery-hold-up incidents in Iloilo, which he credited to the new duty shift scheme.*GPB

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