285 rookie cops deployed in Soccsksargen

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — At least 285 rookie policemen were deployed across the Soccsksargen region early this week to help keep peace and order during the Yuletide season, officials said.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, regional police director, said the new policemen, all with the rank of police officers 1, would be sent to the frontline in the fight versus terrorism and crime during the holidays.

Rasco said the new officers had just completed the Philippine National Police’s Basic Internal Security Operations Course.

Soccsksargen is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Reinforcement

The rookie policemen will reinforce more than 4,000 policemen stationed across the region, which has been hit by deadly explosions this year that killed five people and wounded over 50 others.

Authorities blamed the attacks in Koronadal City, the capital of South Cotabato, in April, and in Isulan, the capital of Sultan Kudarat, in August and September, on Islamic State (IS)-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The blast in General Santos City in September was carried out by another IS-aligned group, Ansar al-Khilafah Philippines.