LINGAYEN—Key actions on security have been implemented in Pangasinan, prompted by the brutal gunslaying of Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong, his police aide and a civilian in broad daylight.

On June 13, just when another shooting incident involving a barangay chairman in Dagupan City took place, the permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) was suspended province-wide.

“This is one of the measures we are taking in order to deter crimes especially the ones perpetrated by gunmen,” said Chief Inspector Ryan Manongdo, information officer of Provincial Police Office (PPO).

Then following the visit of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima at the PPO June 14, it was announced that at least 68 highly skilled and trained policemen from the special action force (SAF) will be deployed as augmentation forces in the province beginning last week.

“The SAF will augment for the needs of highly skilled, properly trained and equipped PNP personnel in the province,” Manongdo said.

Purisima headed a command conference where he reiterated the mandates to intensify checkpoints, “Oplan Sita”, police visibility, arrest of wanted persons and action against lawless elements.

The SAF force will stay in Pangasinan until it is  re-assigned in other parts of northern Luzon.

UNDER CONTROL

Meanwhile, the PPO maintained that the peace and order situation in the province is still under control.

“There is no statistical tool where we can measure to say that it is generally peaceful or not considering that the province has a big population, besides progress is associated with crimes as lawless elements have more motives for committing crimes here with the presence of more economic activity, financial stability, more population,” Manongdo said.

He also appealed to gun owners to respect and follow the suspension of PTCFOR.–Hilda M. Austria with report from Johanne R. Macob

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