THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 headed by Brigadier General Redrico Maranan has introduced its Emergency Alert Button App, a communication tool that operates without the need for data or Wi-Fi connections.

Brig Gen. Maranan led the launching of the app at the PRO-7 regional headquarters in Camp Sergio Osmena Sr. in Cebu City on Valentine’s Day.

During its launch, the PRO-7 chief cited the innovative safety tool with its life-saving potential and its design to safeguard the Central Visayas community.

Brig. Gen. Maranan said the Emergency Alert Button App is designed to provide immediate police assistance 24/7 to business establishments and vital installations within the PRO-7 area.

The official said that the app is specifically intended for business establishments within the respective police station or unit’s area of responsibility.

By utilizing the Emergency Alert App, these establishments can enhance their security measures, particularly those that are vulnerable or operate around the clock without on-site security, allowing them to send instantaneous alerts to police during emergencies.

The ceremony included an informative audio-visual presentation that covered the project’s background, concept and installation procedures, helping attendees gain a comprehensive understanding of the app’s purpose and functionality.

Additionally, a live simulation demonstrated the app’s performance in a real-life scenario, streamed through the DISCORD Application.

This showcase provided the audience with insights into how the app operates in critical situations, ensuring safety and prompt action when it is most needed.

Brig. Gen. Maranan encouraged various police units to thoroughly master the system, understand the app’s mechanics and prepare for diverse scenarios.

He stressed the importance of responding with urgency and coordinated efforts, as timely action is crucial in emergencies—it can significantly influence the success of operations.

“Our approach to policing must evolve to meet contemporary challenges.

While the roles of apprehending and arresting officers remain fundamental, our focus must shift toward crime prevention.

In emergencies, our responses must be immediate, calculated, and relentless,” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson said.

The official also affirmed that the Central Visayas police force is well-equipped to face the challenges of modern security threats, demonstrating efficiency and innovation in their approach.

On orders of PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official said they are ramping up their effort to combat crime in the region to ensure a more peaceful and orderly May 12 midterm elections.

Brig. Gen. Maranan said that from February 10 to 12, they hauled to jail 639 crime targets and confiscated more than three kilograms of shabu worth P22.9 million.

Those operations also resulted in the arrest of 206 wanted lawbreakers, 22 of them classified as Top Most Wanted Persons as well as the recovery of 88 loose firearms during operations which netted 18 suspects.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon