One local chief executive getting threats: NOCPPO

There is at least one local chief executive in Negros Occidental who received threats, amid calls to ramp up security among LCEs following the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo earlier this month.

NOCPPO spokesperson Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo refused to name the LCE and would rather leave it to the Philippine National Police-Police Protection Service Group (PNP-PPSG) to identify the local official.

Catalogo said the LCE has already applied to the PNP-PPSG for additional security, although he pointed out that a threat assessment will be conducted first before the PNP-PPSG will approve the request.

He further stated that based on initial information, the LCE’s threat came from Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) or the New People’s Army (NPA), and not from a rival political personality or group.

At present, Catalogo said, they are not monitoring any intense political rivalry in Negros Occidental.

Catalogo said LCEs may avail of additional security from the PNP-PPSG at the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City.

In the meantime, while awaiting the PNP-PPSG’s decision, Catalogo said the local LCE is currently being guarded by personnel provided by NOCPPO.

“Tanan nga LCEs without threat or may ara threat gin dugangan naton, gin pa intense pa gid ang ila security to ensure their safety,” he added.

In Negros Occidental, the political rivalry among officials has been brought down to the local level after the two major political groups in the province, Love Negros led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) led by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer made an alliance.

The political rivalry in the local level has not even flared up seriously during last year’s polls.* (DGB)