MABALACAT CITY — Reelected Mayor Cris Garbo said he will create a “special” auxiliary force to beef-up the current strength of the Mabalacat City PNP in combatting criminality especially in the campaign against illegal drugs and other lawless elements on the streets.
Garbo said improving the firepower capability of the police against lawlessness will be among his top priorities following the fresh mandate as chief executive in this city. In fact, during his first term, the city government provided additional mobile patrol units presently being used by the police.
“I will create an auxiliary police force composed of young and energetic men who will act as back-up and support group of the regular police during anti-criminality operations. The members will be armed with handguns… they will be armed,” said Garbo on the sidelines of proclamation rites for the newly elected Governor and Vice Governor in Pampanga held at the Benigno Aquino Hall on Friday (May 17).
Now on his second term, Garbo said he will seek an audience with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and ask his guidance for the creation of armed auxiliary police force. “I will seek authority from DILG so that they will be allowed to carry firearms.”
“This is part of my programs to improve the firepower capability and equipment of the Mabalacat City PNP,” Garbo pointed out adding that 10 young men will initially form part of the auxiliary force.
Hiring and training of auxiliary force will be handled by the police. “They will be properly trained on the basic police disciplines and operations including proper handling of any kind of firearms.”
Members of auxiliary force, Garbo said will be issued “comfortable” uniforms, donned in short pants. “So that they will appear friendly to the public.
Mabalacat City is considered “problematic” area in Pampanga because of the presence of illegal drugs traffickers and drug dens. Garbo however clarified that present statistics is on the downtrend with the sustained police operations against the menace of society.
“Malaki ang nabawas sa mga illegal drugs trafficker cases. Bumaba na kumpara sa mga nakalipas na taon,” said Garbo adding that big share of his confidential funds went to various police operations.
“Basta sabihin lang sa akin kung ano ang kailangan nila (police) ie. buy bust moiney, unlimited gasoline allocation, and even P1,000 monthly allowances for every policeman in Mabalacat City so that hindi na sila mangongotong,” Garbo told reporters.