The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) MIMAROPA convened for its first-quarter Full Council Meeting for the year 2025 at Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila, on Thursday, March 13. The meeting, presided by RPOC Chairperson and Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano, brought together regional officials to discuss the pressing security and safety issues within the region.

Attending the meeting were ROD Chief PCOL Ronie S Bacuel, (PRO MIMAROPA), CAPT Fitzgerald Canete, PN, MNSA (AFP WESCOM), Assistant Division Commander BGEN Erwin A Alea (2ID, PA) Regional Director Karl Caesar Rimando, CESO III (DILG MIMAROPA), Regional Director FSSUPT Edwin P Vargas, DSC (BFP MIMAROPA), and representatives from other RPOC members.

The primary focus of the meeting was the region’s Internal Security Situation including issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. Notably, PDEA shared arrest data, insights on commonly trafficked drugs, and identified key entry points for illegal drugs in the region.

Regarding the peace and order situation, PRO MIMAROPA cited that MIMAROPA was reported to be generally peaceful and manageable, with preparations underway for the upcoming national and local elections. Additionally, fire safety and the reduction of fire incidents were discussed by BFP MIMAROPA, particularly in light of March being Fire Prevention Month.

DENR MIMAROPA also presented the strategy/action plan of their Inter-Agency Task Force under the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement between the DENR MIMAROPA, Region V and Region VI.

Lastly, Governor Gadiano expressed optimism that the cooperation between the different agencies and sectors would strengthen the region’s overall security, ensuring a safer environment for MIMAROPANs.