DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA) — Revitalized Police sa Barangay (RPSB) elements of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) are still deployed in far-flung areas formerly influenced by the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a recent press conference hosted by DNPPO Public Information Office, Police Col Alexander R. Serrano expressed commitment to sustain and strengthen the RPSB implementation as crucial component to the grassroots operation of the police.
DNPPO still has two RPSB clusters deployed in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Davao del Norte, serving as forces to sustain the gains of clearing previously NPA influenced areas.
In the same press conference, Police Lt. Col. Jay G. Dema-ala cited the RPSB as effective as preventive a measure of guarding GIDAs against recovery efforts of NPA remnants operating in nearby provinces of Region X and Caraga.
Dema-ala said the RPSB personnel also functions as community relations personnel of the police on top of performing police visibility work.
“Tanan nga pwedeng ma-serbisyo sa gobyerno mahatag nato sa ilaha, kitay naghimo ug paagi nga mapaduol ang serbisyo sa gobyerno sa ilaha (Whatever services that the government can give them, we are making ways to get them closers to government services),” he said, referring to folks in far-flung communities of indigenous peoples (IPs).
RPSB elements of DNPPO extend a hand in birth registration of IPs, in farming and livelihood, and serving as literacy teachers in assigned GIDAs. (JMDA/ PIA XI Davao del Norte)
