THE Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay or R-PSB program of the Philippine National Police has been fully implemented in many far-flung parts of Regions 8 and 5 as part of the PNP’s effort to encourage the villagers to stop supporting the New People’s Army.

The official behind the program Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo of the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations on Thursday presented the R-PSB concept to Region 8 Peace and Order Council chairman,Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and other local government and Army officials during a meeting at the Police Regional Office 8 headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Palo, Leyte.

Mayor Romualdez expressed his gratitude to the R-PSB program as he acknowledged the efforts of the PNP and the Armed Forces in fighting insurgency in Samar for a long time.

The Tacloban City mayor said he fully believes in the potential of the R-PSB program to help end insurgency in the region and called on all concerned officials to commit their support to the concept.

He also assured that his office is ready to assist the R-PSB project once issues raised by the community are gathered by the officers.

Okubo, Mayor Romualdez and PRO 8 director Brigadier Gen. Vincent S. Calanoga also graced the send-off ceremony for 318 R-PSB personnel who will be deployed in Barangays Jangtud, Nagbubtac, Mabaras, Matambag and Magsaysay in Palapag municipality and in Bgys. Magsaysay and Quezon in Mapanas town.

All seven barangays in Northern Samar are known to be formerly infiltrated by the NPA.

The Department of Public Works and Highways offered their heavy equipment to build roads that will be recommended by the R-PSB officers in the two municipalities in coordination with LGUs.

On Tuesday, Okubo and PRO 5 director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo D. Obinque also met with 320 PRO5 officers and men who have finished an R-PSB training prior to their deployment to 34 barangays in Bicol.

“These are all aimed at preventing the recovery and resurgence of the communist terrorist group and insulating the unaffected communities,” Okubo said.

The event was also witnessed by a number of local government officials, including Camalig, Albay Mayor Carlos Baldo Jr., top PRO5 officers and representatives from the PNP Special Action Force.

The 320 policemen will be actively involved in a 6-month immersion program across the 34 CSP-cleared barangays.

Their mission encompasses several key objectives, including sustaining the progress achieved by government initiatives delivered to the barangays, preventing any potential resurgence of criminal and terrorist groups, and safeguarding the unaffected neighboring communities.

“Maj. Gen. Okubo’s leadership and dedication have played a pivotal role in steering the PNP towards deeper community engagement.

The R-PSB program exemplifies our commitment to building trust, fostering collaboration and promoting the welfare of every Filipino citizen,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said.