Bacolod city: The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has dispatched 50 police officers to six remote barangays across Negros and Siquijor as part of an initiative to strengthen law enforcement presence. The deployment, under the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) Program, was officiated by PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr.

According to Philippines News Agency, the R-PSB Program aims to bring police services closer to communities, particularly in areas that are far-flung and affected by conflict. This initiative seeks to enhance community engagement, promote peace and order, and support government efforts against insurgency, terrorism, and criminality through a comprehensive approach.

Personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office will be assigned to Oringao, Kabankalan City, while those from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office will serve in Barras, Mabinay town, and Tayawan, Bayawan City. Additionally, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion will deploy officers to Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava in Negros Occidental, and personnel from the Siquijor Police Provincial Office will be stationed in Sabang, Siquijor town.

The R-PSB Program is a flagship initiative of the Philippine National Police, designed to foster community-oriented policing. In November of the previous year, the assigned personnel underwent a 15-day training program to enhance their skills in community policing, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding, focusing on empowering those serving in remote and conflict-affected areas.