HISTORY OF SPPO
Siquijor Province was then a sub-province of Negros Oriental. With the passage of Republic Act 6398 approved by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 17, 1971, Siquijor became a Province and was named in honor of King Kihod.
On August 1, 1975, Presidential Decree No. 765 was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos into law integrating the PC/INP as joint forces. The Philippine Constabulary jpined forces with the Integrated National Police which comprises of the Philippine Constabulary/Director General Integrated National Police with the Municipal Mayor having recommending authority for the appointment of the policeman and the operational control over the polce in his area of responsibility. During the period, all police forces were appointed to the Integrated National Police.
With the passage of PD 1184 known as Police Professionalization Act of 1977, policemen holding the ranks of Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police were given a specific Police Ranks, such as: Police Colonel, Police Lieutenant Colonel, Police Major, Police Captain, Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Police Corporal, Patrollman First Class and Patrolman depends on the point merit system.
During the period when Siquijor was still a Sub-province of Negros Oriental the Officer In Charge was Major Romeo Fernandez for the maintenance of peace and order and the enforcement of laws. When it became a province in 1971 a Provincial Command was established under the leadership of Major Romeo Fernandez as the first Provincial Commander of PC/INP with six (6) Municipal Police Stations under of his jurisdiction.
The location of six (6) Municipal Police Stations are: Siquijor Police Station in Brgy Poblacion, Siquijor; Larena Police Station in Brgy. Helen, Larena; Enrique Villanueva Police Station in Brgy. Poblacion, Enrique Villanueva; Maria Police Station in Brgy. Poblacion, Maria; Lazi Police Station in Brgy. Tigbawan, Lazi and San Juan Police Station in Brgy. Poblacion, San Juan.
With the passage of RA 6975 an Act Reorganizing the Department of Interior and Local Government in 1991, the Provincial Command was changed to Siquijor Police Provincial Office with Police Superintendent Francasio Belongilot as the First Provincial Director.
Policemen under this Police Provincial Office have shon high morale having granted and received several benefits such as allowances and salary increases not to mention the longevity pay extended which can be enjoyed by policemen till the retirement.
The island’s population in 1971 was 62, 976 in the official census which later grew up to 91,066 based on 2010 survey. The slow increase of population is a manifestation of a rural setting of this Island. Currently, the police population ratio is 1:423 or translating one (1) policeman securing 423 inhabitants. Siquijor Province has the lowest crime rate region wide where communities continue enjoy the serenity and sustain a peaceful place to live, work and do business.
This small province located in the visayas has been unfairly labeled as the land of sorcery and witchcraft. But of course those are just classic myths; some say that hearsay was created long ago to protect the island from the influx of outsiders.
Today, through the beauty of Siquijor is no longer a secret in fact it is a favorite island vacation of foreign tourist upon arriving at the port, you’ll surely be bowed by its clear turquoise waters. This Province id endowed with serene beaches, unexplored cave, and picturesque sunset.