The Philippine National Police in Negros Oriental, through its Provincial Public Safety Company, has initiated a dialogue with resort owners and managers Thursday in Dauin town to discuss security threats and other concerns regarding the safety of its guests.
PNP Acting Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas disclosed that he has tasked Supt. Elmer Decena, PPSC chief, to take the lead during the meeting to initially learn of the resorts’ problems and concerns, especially on security matters.
Sr. Supt. Biñas further disclosed he has designated the PPSC as the lead police unit to secure the resorts, especially in the southern part of the province, in coordination with the different police stations.
During the regular meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting last week, the Philippine Army in its briefing presentation disclosed that many of the resorts in Dauin had “weak” security.
Some resorts do not have security guards while others need to beef up their security personnel, the Army said at the PPOC briefing.
In response to this observation, Sr. Supt. Biñas highlighted prevention as a key factor in deflecting or preventing attacks by notorious groups or individuals.
He asked resort owners and operators, barangay officials and coastal residents to be on the lookout for suspicious persons and provide the necessary information to the authorities.
It is impossible for the PNP to assign police personnel to all the resorts, Biñas pointed out.
In Dauin alone, there are about 30 resorts, not to mention a few in the famed dive destination Apo Island and the nearby towns of Bacong, Zamboanguita and Siaton all in southern Negros Oriental.
Thursday’s meeting comes as part of the target-hardening measures of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deter possible kidnapping and other terror attacks by threat groups following recent intelligence information that some areas in Cebu and Negros Oriental are being targeted.
The Seminar on Deterence to Terrorism, held at the conference hall of Dauin, was attended by owners, managers and security officers of beach resorts, barangay officials, and the Bantay Dagat (sea wardens). (PNA)