FUNCTIONAL COMPACS -- Residents of Atok and Buguias in Benguet are clamoring for the posting of uniformed personnel at the community police action centers (Compacs) along the Halsema Highway, particularly at Camp 30 in Atok and Natubleng in Buguias for easier response during emergencies and for the communities’ peace of mind. Officers who were previously detailed at the Compacs were pulled out by the past administration of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera. -- Jane Cadalig

Residents in areas traversed by the Halsema Highway in Benguet are requesting for the return of personnel detailed at the community police assistance centers (Compacs) that were put up along the thoroughfare.

The request was made by residents of Atok and Buguias who said the presence of police officers in the Compacs helps ensure faster response when police assistance is needed.

Particularly requested for are the outposts at Camp 30 in Atok and in Natubleng, Buguias, which used to be watched over by uniformed personnel until former Police Regional Office-Cordillera Director Elmo Sarona pulled out cops manning the Compacs all over the region.

Nora Mayos, a restaurant operator in Atok, vouched for the town’s police officers whom she said are regularly conducting patrols, but added the presence of personnel in the outposts makes them feel they are better secured.

This was shared by residents Francis Wakin and Primo Oras. They were among the residents interviewed by members of the Benguet Provincial Police Office Technical Working Group (BPPO-TWG).

The team is making its rounds of the municipal police stations (MPS) to get the communities’ impressions of their local police and secure recommendations on how the Philippine National Police could improve its services in line with the PNP Patrol Plan 2030, a program that aims to transform the institution into a “highly capable, effective, and credible police service.”

Residents in Buguias made similar request: Assign police officers at the Compac at Natubleng.

John Puddong, punong barangay of Amgaleyguey, said response would be faster if there are cops assigned at the Natubleng Compac.

Nelia Persi, also a resident of Buguias, added: “Police from Atok will not be the ones responding du-ring emergencies” if there are officers detailed at the Natubleng outpost.

The Atok, Buguias, and Mankayan MPS were the latest to be evaluated by the BPPO-TWG.

The three MPS earned positive feedback and got good ratings from the stakeholders, with varied recommendations on how they can improve their services in the grassroots.