VICTORIAS CITY - There will be no more anti-criminality operations for the 6th Regional Mobile Group and Provincial Mobile Group troopers, regional police chief Geary Barias said yesterday.

The 400-strong 6th RMG, a rapid deployment force of the Western Visayas police, is now being re-armed and re-equipped as it prepares for combat with insurgents in Negros Occidental.

Barias said RMG and PMG units will focus their efforts on the New People's Army, and the city and municipal police stations on anti-criminality operations.

The Police Regional Office 6 is planning to recall high-powered firearms issued to policemen performing administrative functions, to be distributed to RMG and PMG units.

At least 9,000 rounds of 9mm and .45 caliber pistols ammunition were distributed equally yesterday by Barias to the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City Police Offices and 6th RMG for use in the marksmanship training of policemen.

Barias said police stations are barred from conducting offensive operations against insurgents in their areas. Instead, they will assist RMG and PMG units in information gathering and in pursuing legal actions against rebels.

About 147 policemen performing various functions at the PRO 6 headquarters will also be deployed to different city and municipal police stations in the region, starting Aug. 14.

Barias, who was accompanied by Senior Supts. Charles Calima, Pedro Merced, Vicente Alorro and Modesto Sanson in the conduct of inventory of 6th RMG resources, also encouraged similar downsizing of personnel in provincial and city police offices in the Western Visayas.

Two hundred new policemen are now undergoing a Scout Rangers' Orientation Course in Dumangas, Iloilo, in addition to 250 more being recruited this year, police records show.

"You should be ready for action soon," Barias told RMG troopers headed by Supt. Rene Aspera.

Executive Order 546, signed recently by President Arroyo stipulates that the PNP will share responsibility with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the counter-insurgency campaign.

It also allows the PNP to recruit "police auxiliaries" from barangay officials and tanods for mobilization in the counter-insurgency campaign, with the concurrence of the local chief executives and the Peace and Order Councils.

By keeping RMG and PMG troopers on the move, we may pre-empt plans of the enemy of the state to conduct terroristic activities, Barias said.

Last month, the Bacolod City Police Office received 24 9mm pistols from Camp Crame, while the police station of Binalbagan got 10 similar guns from the Police Regional Office 6.*GPB

PLANS FOR BCPO\ ICPO

Barias said he is proposing a pilot program in the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo to train policemen to be become tourism-oriented.

He said policemen should know the current laws and ordinances so they can assist citizens and tourists.

Previously, 30 policemen assigned in various police units under the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office completed the 45-day tourist-cop course at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

Barias, who paid a courtesy call on Mayor Evelio Leonardia, suggested that the ICPO and BCPO should come up with information kits to guide the policemen on what local laws they have to implement and acquaint them with the local officials of the place.

Leonardia, who welcomed the suggestions and agreed to support this proposal, told Barias, "Added to their regular task of keeping peace and order, this will make our policemen more valuable to the public."*CGS

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