DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office-11 formally introduced its newest initiative to strengthen rural security – the PRO-11 Cavaliers, a horse-mounted patrol unit manned by 31 police personnel at Menzi Beach Park in Dahican in Mati City.

Police Col. Mariano Rodriguez, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-11, graced the occasion and commended the 31 police personnel for their dedication and exemplary discipline during training.
The participants from various police units across Region 11—including Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao City, and Mati—participated in the training from April 4 to April 14, covering 80 intensive hours of instruction and hands-on exercises.
Rodriguez said they underwent thorough horsemanship instruction, including basic and advanced riding techniques and specialized patrol operations designed for mounted law enforcement.
He added that key highlights of the training featured practical demonstrations such as proper mounting and dismounting procedures, navigation through obstacles, formation riding, and desensitization drills, all tailored to prepare officers for effective community engagement while on horseback.
Rodriguez emphasized that creating the cavalry aligns with the guidelines of Philippine National Police Memorandum Circular No. 2014-046 with support from local government units.
He said the creation of the PRO-11 Cavaliers aims to bolster police visibility, deter criminal activity in far-flung areas, and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and rural communities.
According to the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office, the initiative is expected to complement tourism efforts in Davao Oriental’s remote destinations.
The 10-day Horseback Riding Patrol Training was organized by the Regional Operations Division and the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division in collaboration with the DOPPO.
Rodriguez said establishing the cavalry's mounted patrol underscores the Davao police’s drive to innovate and adapt to the unique challenges of policing in diverse terrains across the Davao region.