Manila: Select municipal police stations under the Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO) have received an allocation of 12 new patrol cars and 19 pieces of Information Technology (IT) equipment.

According to Philippines News Agency, the assets were distributed during a ceremony held at the provincial headquarters in San Jose de Buenavista. The municipal police stations benefiting from these new resources include Barbaza, Bugasong, Belison, Caluya, Hamtic, Patnongon, Sebaste, Sibalom, Tibiao, Tobias Fornier, Valderrama, and Libertad.

APPO Director Col. Lea Rose Pe±a conveyed that these patrol cars and IT equipment, provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters, are expected to enhance the province's anti-criminality efforts. She mentioned that the timing is significant, as most municipal police stations in Antique previously had outdated patrol cars. An additional two patrol cars are scheduled to be delivered to the APPO next week.

In a different context, Pe±a reported that the Binirayan Festival's opening events on Monday proceeded smoothly without any incidents. The grand opening featured a reenactment of the Bornean datus' arrival and the establishment of the first barangay in Malandog, Hamtic. This was followed by the lighting of the first Malayan Settlement Torch and a torch parade from Barangay Malandog in Hamtic to Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park in San Jose de Buenavista.

Antique Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda, through his Political Affairs Officer Marie Payne, expressed that the festival is a significant historic event. It serves as a reminder for the people of Antique of their identity and heritage. Legarda emphasized that the arrival of their ancestors in Malandog, Hamtic symbolizes a quest for freedom and peace rather than conquest. The Binirayan Festival's main events will take place from December 15 to 27.