Police monitor armed groups in Central Visayas

TAGBILARAN City, Bohol- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is monitoring the potential presence of armed groups in Central Visayas.

PNP Director Nicanor Bartolome said the police and military are monitoring at least 12 armed groups in Central Visayas which could be used in the upcoming elections.

Police records show that three armed groups exist in Cebu province, five in Negros Oriental, two in Bohol, one in Lapu-Lapu City and one in Siquijor.

The figures were based on the previous elections, said Bartolome.

Bartolome said the police are still in the process of confirming the presence of the armed groups.

“What we are trying to do right now is to prevent the possibility that they might be used for the elections” said Bartolome, who presided yesterday’s regional command conference.

The conference was attended by police officials from regions six, seven and eight.

Bartolome said one of the things that were discussed in the conference was the police’s preparation for the upcoming elections.

Senior Supt. Edward Caranza, chief of the Negros Provincial Police Office (NCPO), said they are monitoring the presence of armed groups in the province’s first, second and third districts.

During the conference, Bartolome ordered the strict implementation of police visibility from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. wherein the policemen are no longer busy with administratuve works.

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chato, chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), said he will propose in the next meeting of the council the establishment of security in all point of entries not only in Bohol but in neighboring regions./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON