Ang Pahayagan

ZAMBALES —In a significant step toward enhancing grassroots security and police-community collaboration, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) officially launched the Fisherfolks Advocacy Support Groups (FASG) at the Subic Sports Complex in Barangay Wawandue, Subic, Zambales.

The initiative, which gathered fisherfolk leaders from the provinces of Bataan, Zambales, and Olongapo City, aims to empower coastal communities to become proactive partners in public safety, environmental protection, and disaster resilience.

The launch was attended by top officials from PRO3, led by PCOL Rommel S. Batangan, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, as well as representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 3), Regional Maritime Unit 3 (RMU3), Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRRMO), and local government units.

In his keynote message, Police Brig. General Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., Regional Director of PRO3, emphasized the value of community-centered policing:

“Our efforts to ensure public safety do not rest solely on the shoulders of law enforcement. Through the Fisherfolks Advocacy Support Groups, we are strengthening our partnership with one of the most vital sectors of our society. Community engagement is not just a strategy—it is a shared responsibility. Together, we can make our coastal areas safer, more resilient, and more united.”

The formation of FASGs aligns with the Chief PNP’s three core pillars: Swift and Responsive Public Service, Unity and Morale Within the Ranks, and Accountability and Modernization. The event particularly spotlighted the second pillar—unity and morale—by highlighting the solidarity between police officers and the communities they serve.

Local barangay officials and chiefs of police from participating areas joined civil society groups and maritime authorities in expressing a unified commitment to sustainable coastal security and crime prevention. The collaboration also aims to promote awareness on illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and other threats to peace and marine resources.

With FASGs poised for expansion across more coastal provinces in the coming months, PRO3 envisions the initiative as a scalable model for inclusive and responsive policing. By involving fisherfolk in the crime prevention framework, the PNP seeks to elevate public trust, boost police morale, and create empowered communities capable of contributing to national peace and development. (Jason de Asis)

📸The PNP officially launched the Fisherfolks Advocacy Support Groups (FASG) in Subic, Zambales to strengthen coastal security and build stronger ties with local communities. This initiative empowers fisherfolk to become active partners in crime prevention and maritime safety. (PRO 3)