The campaign to minimize crimes in the city is gaining ground, according to Police Superintendent Nicomedes P. Olaivar, Jr. of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) who issued  a directive to his men to intensify operations to “cleanse” and rid Bohol of criminal elements.

This in support to the call of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to the people to help authorities and law enforcement agencies in their drive to make life miserable for criminals.

“If the people are always vigilant and if they translate this vigilance into action by informing authorities of the presence of criminal elements in their respective areas” Gov. Chatto was quoted earlier, “then, criminal elements would find it hard to spread their nest in Bohol.”

To this, PSupt Olaivar reiterates his previous statement that “we do not limit ourselves to police and combat operations; it is also our duty as police officers to spread awareness among the people by conducting lectures on drug prevention and control.”

Olaivar has carved a name for himself due to conducting life-threatening operations especially in leading raiding teams in buy-busting illegal drug deals and engaging head on in combat operations against criminal elements.

He adds that he has no qualms in putting illegal drug dealers behind bars; or even “putting bullets” between criminals’ eyes to protect the people, especially the youth, from getting hooked in bad vices and subsequently throwing their lives away.

“The PNP is now hurling its “magic lasso” to catch criminals and bring them to justice; so criminals, beware,” Olaivar good-naturedly taunts unlawful elements.

His team is now visiting localities not only to gather information on the WHO’S WHO in illegal drug deals and other illegal dealings but also helping the Provincial Government, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in educating the people, especially the youth, on the ill effects of the use of illegal drugs.

Last July 28, Col. Olaivar’s team visited Cogon Elementary School, Hanopol Elementary School, Hanopol National High School, San Roque Integrated School and Cong. Pablo Malasarte National High School in the barangays of Cogon, Hanopol, San Roque and Cabad, in Balilihan, and conducted lectures on Drug Prevention and Control, Internal Security Operations and Street Crime Operations.

August 4 saw his team in Nueva Granada Elementary School and Overland Elementary School, both in the town of Buenavista, and distributed ballpoint pens to its students.

And last August 5, Col. Olaivar led the school visitations and the distribution of ballpens in Baogo Elementary School, Lubang National High School and Lusong Elementary School in Buenavista.

Last July 29, Col. Olaivar led Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operatives, PIB personnel, and a member of the Tubigon Police Station in the implementation of a search warrant in relation to Violation of Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition (RA 10591) issued against a certain suspect.

The operation was successful in that the suspect was effectively apprehended and subsequently, a case was immediately filed against him before the prosecutor’s office the day after, which was eventually endorsed to the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

PSupt Olaivar says that the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), together with the Provincial Government and other law enforcement agencies are serious in their campaign against illegal firearms and other forms of menace in the society, which must be done effectively.

He added that the immediate arrest of offenders and bringing them before our courts of law are effective ways of eradicating doubts against our men in uniform and also, a way of elevating the image of the PNP to the pedestal as a trusted arm in law enforcement.

However, he suggested that it would be better if notable accomplishments such as this be published in the PNP Journal as a good manifestation of Excellence which is the fourth aspect of the strategic focus of the Chief PNP’s programs.

Also, he strongly recommends the issuance of appropriate and corresponding medal/awards to all those who have participated in similar operations as recognition of their clear expression of their commitment to duty, passion and endeavor which could quite positively boost and uplift their morale and be inspired and more dedicated to duty and to strive more to be excellent public servants. (JLV/PGBh/EDC)