Published on: April 02, 2024 | Written by: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – March 21, 2024 – The 1st Quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Meeting convened on March 21, 2024, at the Provincial Atrium, Capitol Site, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, under the leadership of Hon. Dulce Ann K. Hofer, the RPOC Chairperson and Provincial Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay. 

The meeting commenced with the presentation of the Business of the Day and the reading of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting, overseen by RD Paisal O. Abutazil, CESO III, the RPOC IX Head Secretariat and Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. 

Updates on the Peace and Order and Public Safety in Region IX were delivered by PBGEN Bowenn Joey M Masauding, Regional Director of the Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office (PNP-PRO) IX, represented by PCol Romeo A Espero, Jr. 

MGEN Gabriel C Viray III, Commander of 1st Infantry Division Tabak, represented by BGEN John Divinagracia, provided insights into the Anti-Insurgeny and Anti-Terrorism Campaign in Region IX. 

RD Maharani R. Gadaoni-Tosoc, Regional Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) IX, presented the Status of Anti-Illegal Drug Operations in Region IX. 

FCSUPT Jerry D Candido, DSC, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) IX, represented by FCSUPT Michael Melchor Ponterrada, addressed Fire Incidents in Region IX. 

Additionally, the meeting discussed the Conduct of the Peace and Order Council (POC) Audit for CY 2023 Performance to RPOCs, as presented by DILG IX Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) Chief Jose Ruel D. Trobanos. 

The assembly tackled critical issues impacting the region’s peace and security, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of the communities in Region IX.