06/09/2026
ICYMI | Coffee with a COP: Strengthening Civilian Oversight and Collective Action for Safer Communities.
The NAPOLCOM Regional Office 13 (Caraga), led by Regional Director Dir. Josephmar B. Gil, CESO IV, successfully aired Coffee with a COP, a special livestreaming talk show held on September 4, 2026, in celebration of the 32nd National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) with the theme, "Strengthening Civilian Oversight and Collective Action for Safer Communities." Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 461, s. 1994, which declares the first week of September as the annual observance of the National Crime Prevention Week, the initiative was conducted through the partnership of NAPOLCOM Caraga, Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga to promote meaningful conversations on crime prevention, community participation, and responsible policing.
Hosted by Ms. Renelle L. Escuadro, Assistant Regional Director of PIA Caraga, the program featured PCOL Richie M. Yatar, City Director of the Butuan City Police Office, and PLTCOL Edsel M. Caramonte, Chief of Police of the Cabadbaran Component City Police Station, as resource persons. The livestream reached audiences through the pages of NAPOLCOM Caraga, PIA Caraga and its provincial offices, Butuan City Police Office, Cabadbaran Component City Police Station, Surigao Component City Police Office, and the Regional Public Information Office 13 of Police Regional Office 13, making the discussions on public safety accessible to communities across the region.
The discussion centered on five key areas that contribute to safer communities: civilian oversight, collective action, community engagement, professional policing, and data-driven solutions. A major focus was the Community Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) program, which PCOL Yatar described as the backbone of policing because it places officers closer to the people through foot patrols, mobile patrols, and regular consultations with communities and local government officials to identify concerns and improve police services. PLTCOL Caramonte added that CSOP strengthens trust by ensuring police visibility, encouraging community participation, promoting responsible citizenship, and maintaining open communication between the police and the public.
During the conversation, Assistant Regional Director Escuadro also asked the resource persons about their partnerships with their respective Local Government Units. PCOL Yatar shared that the Butuan City Police Office maintains constant coordination with the Butuan City Government under City Mayor Atty. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, highlighting that the recent inauguration of the Butuan Central Police Office in Brgy. Villa Kananga expands police accessibility and improves service delivery for Butuanons. Meanwhile, PLTCOL Caramonte cited the strong support of the Cabadbaran City Government under Mayor Judy Amante, particularly the installation of approximately 300 CCTV cameras in strategic locations that enhance monitoring capabilities and strengthen public safety efforts.
The resource persons likewise discussed the AGAP (Alerto, Giya, Andam ug Paglikay) web-based application, which encourages proactive public participation in crime prevention, while reminding the public that the 911 emergency hotline remains fully operational alongside local police hotline numbers. They also addressed measures being implemented to prevent campus violence, including school security assessments, increased police visibility, inspections around school premises, coordination with Parents-Teachers Associations, and collaboration with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) to monitor online activities that may negatively influence students.
The conversation further covered responsible firearm management by reminding police personnel to exercise due diligence in handling issued fi****ms and encouraging civilian gun owners to comply with firearm registration requirements. The speakers also highlighted the consistent implementation of Oplan Bakal Sita, intensified patrols in bars, beerhouses, and other public places, and the role of the City Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development in addressing public safety concerns through collaborative governance. The program concluded with PCOL Yatar and PLTCOL Caramonte expressing their appreciation to NAPOLCOM Caraga, Regional Director Dir. Josephmar B. Gil, CESO IV, PIA Caraga, Assistant Regional Director Renelle L. Escuadro, and PRO13 Regional Director PBGEN Rolindo M. Suguilon for their continued commitment to strengthening community-oriented policing.
The discussions during Coffee with a COP underscored that effective crime prevention is strengthened when government agencies, law enforcement, and the community work together through transparency, accountability, and active public participation. Through the continued partnership of NAPOLCOM Caraga, Police Regional Office 13, and PIA Caraga, the initiative reinforces civilian oversight, strengthens public trust, and encourages greater community participation in maintaining peace and order. Moving forward, the partner agencies remain committed to sustaining platforms that promote informed discussions, stronger police-community partnerships, and collaborative solutions that contribute to safer communities across the Caraga Region.
💻🖋️MBM
