Butuan city: The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) launched its Community Assistance, Safety, and Support Network (CASSN) here Wednesday to strengthen connections with expat communities in the region. CASSN is a strategic initiative by the Philippine National Police (PNP) designed to address cases of extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes affecting Chinese, Indian, and other foreign communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, led the launch, which was witnessed by representatives from Filipino-Chinese and Filipino-Indian communities in Butuan City and other provinces in the region. Abrahano emphasized that the CASSN was conceptualized earlier this year following reported cases of kidnapping. He noted that CASSN will involve not only PNP personnel but also other government agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

A PRO-13 presentation at the launch indicated that CASSN will act as a liaison between the PNP and Filipino-foreign communities. Its goals include promoting culturally sensitive and accessible policing, enhancing community crime prevention and trust, and ensuring quick, proactive responses to incidents.

Besides the BI, other government agencies involved in CASSN include the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Presidential Communications Office, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Bureau of Investigation. Private groups like the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., and the Foreign National Keepers Network are also participating.

During the launch, John Derick Ngo, president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Agusan, Inc., conveyed through a representative his group's welcome for the PRO-13 initiative and pledged support.