TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Director showcased its preparedness in implementing the five-minute response in their 1st Police Response Simulation Exercise Competition, which coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on Monday (July 28).
The units received a surprise call and were given scenarios such as homicide, road crash, and physical injuries to showcase their readiness and adherence to protocol in effecting an arrest as the need arises.
Brig. General Jay Cumigad, PRO-8 Regional Director lauded the participants, noting that 99 percent of the units achieved the five-minute response time. “The officers of PRO-8 came up with this idea to stir up the usual simulation exercise that the national headquarters has been doing. With this, you are a witness that nothing is impossible,” he explained.
He added that the exercise showcases their response time and identifies the areas they need to improve in terms of skills or technology. The official shared that they are the first PRO to add 400 push-over cellular cameras and procure 54 more body-worn cameras, aside from the 20 issued by the PNP.
PRO-8 also intends to procure 100 more by August for every station to have one or 2 BWCs.
Lawyer Risty Sibayan, NAPOLCOM 8 Regional Director, also commended General Nicolas Torre III’s five-minute response initiative. “The moment we call and the police arrive immediately, that is the feeling of safety, which is a big thing for an ordinary citizen who walks in an unfamiliar place,” he said.
He also called on police units to be alert and ready for any incident, adding, “We hope that through this activity, we will improve on our response time through constant practice, and be able to mitigate risks and address other factors.”
He then assured support and monitoring to ensure and enhance the PNP’s capability. (By Marie Tonette Marticio / EV Mail JULY 28-AUGUST 3, 2025 issue)
