POLICE Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV (seated center) presides over a security briefing with chiefs of police during a surprise visit to Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Thursday, Aug. 7. (Mike U. Crismundo)
GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV has ordered all station commanders to increase visibility and crime prevention measures in all tourist spots in this paradise island.
“We must ensure that all areas in this beautiful island, especially tourist spots, are safe because tourism plays a big part in our economy,” Magistrado said during a security briefing with the chiefs of police of the nine tourism municipalities of Siargao.
“Let’s do our part for economic prosperity by performing well in terms of peace and order, which will benefit our region and our country as well.”
Magistrado visited Siargao Island on Thursday, Aug. 7, to assess the operational readiness of police units, especially the tourist police. The Caraga region has 632 fully-trained tourist police to date.
He visited the Gen. Luna Municipal Police Station where the annual world surfing competition takes place; the Pilar MPS that hosts a yearly international game fishing competition, and Del Carmen MPS, where a wide mangrove plantation is located.
Magistrado inspected the deployment plan, duty detail, and cleanliness of each MPS on the island and paid courtesy calls on local officials.
PRO 13-Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said Magistrado supervised simulation exercises where he underscored the importance of strictly adhering to the five-minute response time.