PRO8 launches RSOTG for May polls
POLICE Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) director Brigadier General Bernard M. Banac yesterday announced the activation of their Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) as part of their security measures in the forthcoming May 9 national and local elections.
The Eastern Visayas police director said that the creation of their RSOTG will help prevent and address election-related incidents that may occur in the region which is known for its history of poll violence specifically in Samar provinces where there is a known intense rivalry among different political factions.
Brig. Gen. Banac said that the RSOTG will be headed by PRO8 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Colonel Jonathan A. Cabal.
The group held its 1st meeting with members of the SOTG-Samar led by Samar Provincial Police Office director Col. Richard R. Saavedra at the Samar PPO headquarters. Saavedra has been appointed as the RSOTG’s deputy commander.
Brig. Gen. Banac said that the RSOTG is composed of officers from the PRO8 Regional Headquarters, the Forensic Group, the Regional Mobile For Battalion 8, Regional Maritime Unit 8, Regional Highway Patrol Unit, the Regional Civil Security Group, the Regional Intelligence Unit, and the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.
“I know that it is everyone’s wish to have a safe and peaceful National and Local Elections (NLE) 2022. However, we, in the police force cannot do it alone,” Banac, a former Philippine National Police spokesperson said.
Western Samar has been previously identified as among the top election-watchlist areas in the country which is being monitored by the PNP and the Armed Forces ahead of every national and local election.
The presence of New People’s Army rebels as well as private armed groups is among the major threats to the election being considered by security troops in the area.
