The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) launched its Community Assistance, Safety, and Support Network (CASSN) on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening connections with expatriate communities in the region.
CASSN is a strategic initiative by the Philippine National Police (PNP) designed to address issues such as extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes affecting Chinese, Indian, and other foreign communities. The launch was led by PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano and was attended by representatives from Filipino-Chinese and Filipino-Indian communities in Butuan City and other provinces in the region.
“The CASSN was conceptualized early this year following the reported cases of kidnapping,” Abrahano stated. He emphasized that the initiative will involve not only PNP personnel but also other government agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
A presentation by PRO-13 during the launch outlined that CASSN will serve as a liaison between the PNP and Filipino-foreign communities. Its objectives include promoting culturally sensitive and accessible policing, enhancing community crime prevention and trust, and ensuring quick, proactive responses to incidents.
In addition to the Bureau of Immigration, other government agencies participating in CASSN include the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Presidential Communications Office, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Bureau of Investigation.
Private organizations such as 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 involved in the initiative.
During the launch, John Derick Ngo, president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Agusan, Inc., expressed his group’s support for the PRO-13 initiative through a representative, highlighting the importance of collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being of expatriate communities.
