The European Union Delegation in the Philippines supports Community and Service-Oriented Policing in Puerto Princesa
The European Union assured its commitment to Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) in Puerto Princesa with the visit of EU Ambassador Franz Jessen accompanied by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. of Romanian Embassy, Mr Mihai Sion, to Puerto Princesa City on December 4.
CSOP is a flagship project of NAPOLCOM, supported by the EU-Philippines Justice Support Programme (EPJUST II).
The implementation of CSOP came about after a series of meetings with the city government and the PNP to implement Community Policing within three pilot barangays in Puerto Princesa: San Pedro, Tiniguiban and Santa Lourdes.
A Memorandum of Agreement was entered into by the City Government of Puerto Princesa, the National Police Commission and the Puerto Princesa City Police Office in June 15, 2015. The Agreement adopts the CSPO system as a framework for coordination and collaboration in helping bring about peace and order and public safety, as well as other activities that would contribute to improved access to justice. A technical working group, composed of representatives from different government institutions (PDEA, DSWD, DEPED, DILG, etc.) and the private sector, is guiding the implementation of CSOP.
The officials met with Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Constancia P. De Guzman, City PNP Deputy Director for Operations Psupt. Silverio Bacsa, San Pedro Barangay Captain Francisco, City DepEd Education Supervisor Dr. Dennis M. Lucas, and Judge Leopoldo Mario P. Legazpi, as well as the EPJUST II team, to discuss the benefits of CSOP to communities, especially when dealing with drug use and its consequences.
After the meeting, the participants proceeded to Barangay San Pedro where they met with barangay officials and community representatives to discuss the issues facing the people of the barangay and how CSOP can assist the community in resolving those issues.
Ambassador Jessen commended the collaboration between government stakeholders with the local communities in bringing about peace and order in Puerto Princesa.