ZAMBOANGA CITY — The city and provincial offices under Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) have activated the Indigenous Peoples (IP) desk.
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, said Friday the IP desks are manned by responsible policemen to address and cater to the issues and concerns of the region’s IPs.
Galvez said the IP desks are placed under the Office of Investigation and Detection Management section of the city and provincial police offices.
She said the IP desk, just like other desks, is also responsible for the protection and promotion of the interest and well-being of indigenous peoples with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions.
The other desks in the different police stations are for human rights, and women and child protection.
Galvez said the IP desk was established at the initiative of Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, to address the various issues and concerns confronting Indigenous Peoples to effectively and efficiently deliver the basic services they need.
The city and provincial offices under PRO-9 are the Zamboanga del Norte Police; the Zamboanga Sibugay Police; Zamboanga del Sur Police; Zamboanga City Police; and the Isabela City Police. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
