Bicol Police Regional Director PBGen. Nestor C. Babagay Jr. brought 40 Israeli-made assault rifles and 14,400 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition for the Catanduanes police as part of his command visit to the province last week.
Intended to enhance local law enforcement capabilities, the Emtan Basic Assault Rifles (BAR) is part of the weapons recently received by the regional police as its allocation from 7,000 units purchased by the PNP National Headquarters in collaboration from the Israel Ministry of Defense under a Government to Government (G2G) mode of acquisition.
According to a report, each assault rifle produced by the Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) cost P41,820, much lower than the price per unit obtained through public bidding.
During Oct. 29, 2025 visit, BGen. Babagay was welcomed by Provincial Director PCol. Elmer R. Cereno and Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, who was joined by Congressman Eulogio R. Rodriguez and Virac Mayor Sinforoso A. Sarmiento Jr.
Not one member of the local media was invited to the welcoming ceremony at Camp Francisco Camacho and the subsequent command conference attended by all chiefs of police from 11 Municipal Police Stations, force commanders of Mobile Force Companies, and heads of Provincial Support Units.
PCol. Cereno rendered a briefing on the general and crime situation in the province, significant crime incidents and accomplishments, crime trends, police interventions, and pertinent issues and concerns.
Addressing the island’s top police officers, RD Babagay provided guidance on the focused agenda of Chief PNP Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to ensure that all units are aligned with the national priorities and strategies for maintaining peace and order.
He emphasized the PNP core directives on the 7-Point Agenda and the 5-Minute Response Time (5 MRT) as the bedrock of the law enforcement service.
He likewise stressed the critical role of intelligence monitoring in maintaining the peace and order that fuels economic growth in Catanduanes.
BGen Babagay reminded the police personnel take full ownership of their collective mission, saying that It is crucial that their actions and strategies on the local level are strongly aligned with the Chief PNP’s Focused Agenda, particularly the commitment to ensuring quick police response to all incidents.
He underscored the importance of professionalism, discipline, and adherence to the core values of the PNP and firmly reminded all personnel that hazing, maltreatment, and any form of physical or psychological abuse have no place in the organization.
“True leadership is demonstrated through respect, mentorship, and teamwork—not through fear or abuse,” he stated.
The Bicol police chief also commended the joint efforts of the San Andres MPS, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Catanduanes Provincial Field Unit in the Oct. 28 arrest of the province’s No. 2 Most Wanted Person.
The 75-year-old suspect, identified only as Nando, was wanted by the Regional Trial Court for six counts of statutory rape, a non-bailable offense.
“The arrest of one of the province’s most wanted individuals demonstrates our unwavering dedication to uphold the law and protect our communities. PRO 5 will continue intelligence-driven operations to locate and apprehend all fugitives who threaten the safety and security of our people,” PBGen. Babagay stated.
The Bicol police director took the opportunity to conduct “red teaming” inspections at several cemeteries in Bato and Virac, including the Palta cemetery where he visited the grave of the late Senior Inspector Jim R. Tria, known as the “last man standing” of the 55th Special Action Company during the 2015 Mamasapano Clash.
During the command visit, 20 CATPPO personnel were subjected to a surprise random drug test as part of its Internal Cleansing Program, with the activity conducted by the Provincial Forensics Unit (PFU), under the supervision of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and in close coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU).
The following day, PFU chief and forensic chemist PLt. Col. Wilfred Pabustan Jr. reported that all personnel tested yielded a negative result.
The surprise drug testing is a core component of the PNP’s intensified efforts to cleanse the organization and sustain the highest ethical standards among its members, the Catanduanes police said in a statement.