The Police Regional Office-SOCCSKSARGEN (PRO-12) has launched “Pito Patrol” as part of its efforts to strengthen police presence in the community.

In this initiative, not only firearms serve as weapons for police officers in fighting crimes, but they will also use whistles to reinforce police visibility wherever it is needed.

PRO-12 acting director, Brigadier General Alan Manibog, the use of whistles is a signal of police presence when responding to incidents.

He said it is a quick way to address possible disturbances, and through the whistle, the community is immediately alerted that authorities are nearby.

“To remind our police officers, to control the crowd they can use the whistle, hindi yung sinisigawan kasi pag sinisigawan natin yung tao minsan yung emotion ay mataas ay na mimis-interpret, pero pag narinig nila yung pito alam nila na thats is an authority,” Manibog said.

For the Regional Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (RAGPTD), the sound of the whistle also represents safe police response in any area.

“Ang kapulisan hindi ka magaling na pulis or binibilang yung galing ng isang pulis sa dami ng iyong naaresto, kung hindi doon sa dami ng iyong na protektahan,” RAGPTD Chairperson, Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani, said.

The whistle is now considered part of a PRO-12 officer’s gear, just like wearing a uniform while on duty.