Camp BGen Efigenio C Navarro, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro- On January 18, 2022, a coordinating conference between the Area Police Command-Southern Luzon (APC-SL) led by Police Lieutenant General FERDINAND O DIVINA, and Police Regional Office MIMAROPA, under the stewardship of its Regional Director, Police Brigadier General SIDNEY SULTAN HERNIA, was held in Camp BGen Efigenio C Navarro, Brgy. Suqui, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

The said conference was in preparation for the full implementation of proposed re-organization of Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFBs) nationwide which places them under operational control of the Area Police Commands (APCs), formerly known as the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPOs), leaving only the Technical Support Companies (TSCs) to the Regional Police Offices (PROs).

Pursuant to PNP Command Memorandum Circular No. 36-2021, which was approved on December 31, 2021, all RMFBs shall be under the operational control of APCs, however, its administrative control shall remain with their respective PROs.

PLTGEN DIVINA emphasized that APCs are mandated to oversee the implementation of all activities of the PNP campaigns against insurgency, terrorism, and private armed groups (PAGs).

Based on the re-organization, RMFB-4B shall now be placed under the operation control of APC-SL comprised of three regions: MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, and Bicol.

PBGen HERNIA said: “Placing the RFMBs under APC control will reinforce PROs, like PRO MIMAROPA, enough manpower and strong force during the conduct of combat operations against insurgents, terrorist groups and in dismantling PAGs, particularly this period that the National and Local Polls is nearly approaching, and that we are now in the midst of winning our battle against CTGs in Mindoro and Palawan Islands”.

“Besides, our region may even request for augmentation of personnel during search, rescue, and retrieval operations when necessary”, he added. -RPIO MIMAROPA