Cop chief to tap private sector help for police

CHINESE businessmen in Cebu will donate P100,000 for a police barracks in Sibonga town, the newly appointed chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said yesterday.

“We will look for other alternatives to address the “lack of resources” problem in Cebu,” said Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 chief, in yesterday’s 888 News Forum.

The Chinese businessmen were old friends of his, Garbo said.

Budget constraints have forced the PNP and other government agencies to look for funding from the private sector.

“All agencies of the government have limited resources. I admit that we have lacking personnel, logistics, and financial resources,” he said.

Garbo said the PNP is trying to recruit 10,000 trainees every year to beef up their personnel in the country.

He said the national government will provide 12 Isuzu pickup vehicles for the region next week.

The PRO-7 chief said he wants to standardize the training facilities for trainees and he will tap assistance from friends in the private sector along with the local government.

Garbo said while he may be asking assistance from businessmen, this will not affect the police’s operations against the influential in Cebu who may be involved in drug-trafficking and other criminal activities.

“I believe in good governance. The police should follow the rules of PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). My personal view is, I don’t want the police to operate in illegal drugs. I choose whom to ask for assistance. I have good intentions.” Garbo said. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell