TACLOBAN CITY — After more than two years of sustained peacekeeping and community engagement, six barangays in Northern Samar have been declared cleared under the Revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay (R-PSB) program, prompting the pullout of 111 police personnel from their assignments.
The personnel, deployed by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), were relieved from Barangays Cabari-an, Canjumadal, Giparayan, Manahaw, and San Ramon in Pambujan town, as well as Barangay Naparasan in Palapag, after completing their missions.
The R-PSB program forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against insurgency and criminality, in line with Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.
Northern Samar has long been considered among the provinces in Eastern Visayas affected by insurgency, prompting sustained security and development interventions in remote barangays.
While 111 personnel were withdrawn, 102 new R-PSB personnel were deployed to two barangays in Victoria and one barangay each in Laoang, Pambujan, Gamay, and Mapanas to continue peace and development efforts in other priority areas.
Turnover ceremonies were attended by local officials, including Pambujan Mayor Owen Lamberto Siervo and Sangguniang Bayan Member Luckie Longcop, who represented Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano.
The officials welcomed the incoming R-PSB teams assigned to Barangay Cababtoan in Pambujan and Barangay Manaybanay in Mapanas.
The R-PSB initiative not only focuses on security operations but also strengthens partnerships with barangay officials and residents. Personnel assist in implementing the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP), which channels government services and infrastructure projects to previously conflict-affected communities.
Northern Samar Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director George Buyacao Jr. expressed gratitude to local government units for their continued backing of the program.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Sumpo, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division and representative of PRO-8 Regional Director Jayson L. Capoy, awarded the outgoing personnel with the Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (PNP Relations Medal) in recognition of their service. She urged newly deployed teams to uphold professionalism and dedication in their assignments.
803rd Infantry Brigade Commander Carmelito Pangatungan reminded incoming personnel that their role goes beyond law enforcement, stressing the importance of mediation, facilitating access to social services, and strengthening barangay institutions.
For her part, DILG Provincial Director Geraldine C. Maquelabit challenged the new teams to sustain and build on the gains achieved, underscoring the need for close collaboration to secure lasting peace in Northern Samar.
The Sangguniang Bayan of the concerned municipalities also passed resolutions commending the outgoing R-PSB teams for their contributions to maintaining peace and order in their respective communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
