New Soccsksargen top cop vows tougher measures vs. terrorism
Peace and Order • 21:30 PM Fri Sep 13, 2019
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By:
PNA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Newly assumed Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 (Soccsksargen) director, Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, vowed on Thursday to tap all available resources in the fight against terrorism in the region.
Corpus said he will prioritize the strengthening of intelligence and security operations in the entire region to counter terrorist threats and related movements in the area.
Such move was the first directive to provincial and city police directors and municipal police station chiefs within the region’s four provinces and four cities, he said.
Soccsksargen covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.
“We will strengthen our target hardening measures to prevent terrorist attacks and at the same time deter the occurrence of various crimes,” Corpus told reporters.
Corpus, the former chief of the Eastern Police District in the National Capital Region, was formally installed on Thursday by Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde as new regional police director of Soccsksargen.
He replaced Brig. Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco, who retired from service after 37 years effective Sept. 13.
Under Rasco’s leadership, at least four major bombing incidents were recorded in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat and in this city that left five persons dead and more than 70 others wounded.
The latest attack happened last Sept. 7 in front of the public market of Isulan that injured seven persons.
Citing his marching orders from Albayalde, he said they will step up the intelligence monitoring against members of terrorist groups.
Aside from this, Corpus said he will initiate more reforms and strengthen the “internal cleansing” of the region’s police units.
Corpus said he will focus his attention on further improving the operations and service delivery of the PRO-12, and ensure that all units and personnel will perform their duties and mandates properly.
“My office will have zero tolerance against police personnel who will be found involved in crimes and corrupt practices,” he said.
Since last year, seven police officers were already dismissed from the service due to various administrative violations, among them for dishonesty after being found submitting fake civil service eligibilities.
A number of cases has also been pending before the regional office involving police officers who have gone absent without official leave.