Negros Oriental Police starts Cops on Board (PUV) program

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — At least 50 police officers were deployed to ride or board public utility vehicles in Negros Oriental under the Cops on Board program, a first in Region 7 that was started yesterday.

Negros Oriental Provincial Police director, Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said the goal of the Cops on Board is to provide security to passengers, drivers, operators and the PUVs, as well as preempt the occurrence of crimes.

Lawas told The FREEMAN that, during the first days of the Cops on Board, police officers will explain to passengers the purpose of the program while showing their IDs exclusively issued for the personnel assigned to it.

Two police officers per town or city will board any PUV at any time of the day to check the security of the passengers and provide police visibility. They would be in complete uniform and armed with a hand gun.

Lawas assured the public that any abusive police officers in the enforcement of the program shall be dealt with disciplinary actions.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Ager Ontog Jr., who attended the graduation of the policemen from the Cops on Board training or seminar, was impressed with this innovative program of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police, saying he would replicate this in other provinces of Central Visayas.

"This will remove the element of opportunity for a crime to happen," said Ontog, adding that he will ask Lawas to report to him the effect of the Cops on Board, and brief other provincial police and city police directors about this program.

Periodic evaluation would also be conducted on the progress of the program, said Lawas. —  THE FREEMAN