ULAP wants better coordination between local officials, PNP

Local chief executives want better coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid concerns over the spate of attacks on politicians, the latest victim of which was Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua aired his colleagues’ position in an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News TV.

“It is really alarming for us in the local government that local officials are being targeted,” Cua said. “If they can do that to mayors, then how much more to ordinary businessmen or citizens – those brazen attacks.”

Local chief executives met with the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday for a briefing on the status of the recent attacks.

“With closer cooperation between local officials and police, and with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) as well, we might be able to address these things better. What was stressed at the meeting was prevention,” he said.

Cua said the PNP agreed to increase its coordination and cooperation with local executives, especially on intelligence sharing.

“One of the things we discussed was the need for cooperation between local authorities or local officials and police. We discussed the mayors and their control and supervision of the police in their municipalities and provinces, so we can exchange intelligence,” he added.

Local executives said they hope the PNP would step up efforts to dismantle private armed groups, especially those whose members have specialized training from law enforcement agencies.

“That’s one of the things we can collaborate better, local officials and police heads. These private armed groups are easy to identify and monitor. These guys, the police know them already. The police (during the meeting) said they can take a deeper look into the matter,” the ULAP president said.