Kabayan cops tighten tourist security
THE CONSTANT visibility Kabayan Municipal Police Office in top destination in the municipality have proven to be an effective crime prevention method and have given the sense of security to would be tourist visiting the area.
Kabayan Chief of Police inspector Francis Colas said authorities have beefed up security assisting in Mt. Pulag which has a 200 to 400 number of visitors and trekkers during its peak season from November to March.
"We continuously visit the Ranger Station at Ambangeg to gather information on the number of tourists arriving at Mt. Pulag to do the necessary deployment of troops for security purposes of the tourists despite having a manpower of only 22 personnel," added Colas.
"Our Police management in terms of deployment maybe small in terms of number but through the help of the Tourist Guide Association and the communities in Mt. Pulag, we have developed a system of intelligence and information gathering to respond to any cases which might occur at Mt. Pulag," said the Kabayan top cop.
The local police also coordinates with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headed by Christian Lasbakan, aside from the Bureau of Fire and Department of Environment and Natural Resources personnel who manages the operations at Mt. Pulag during disaster and rescue operation.
"Aside from Mt. Pulag, the Kabayan police also deploys personnel and coordinates with the various Tourist Guide Associations at the Kabayan mummies regularly frequented by foreigners including the Junior Pulag and the four lakes before going to Sagada in Mt. Province," Colas explained.
Tourist guides arriving at the various tourism offices have been required by the Kabayan police to register at their office for records purposes.
"The favorable support of the community have helped the police to do the necessary response in any eventuality which may occur within the 13 barangays and tourist destinations of Kabayan," Colas closed.