EMPO CHALLENGE 2025: PRO CAR BOLSTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND OPERATIONAL READINESS
To significantly enhance the operational readiness and competencies of field units, the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) successfully conducted the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) Challenge 2025 held today, November 21, 2025.
The activity, initiated by Regional Director, PBGEN ERICSON D DILAG, aligns with the focused agenda of the Acting Chief, PNP PLTGEN JOSE MELENCIO C NARTATEZ, JR, which underscores the need to ensure the efficiency and preparedness of all units, especially in handling critical situations and emergencies through EMPO.
The activity commenced with an opening program held at the PRO CAR Conference Room in Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. The said program was graced by PCOL LEDON D MONTE , Acting Deputy Regional Director for Operations, who served as the keynote speaker. He was joined by PCOL FROILAND B LOPEZ, Acting Chief Regional Staff; PCOL JAMES D MANGILI, Chief, Regional Operations Division; PLTCOL MAURICE M ESPIRITU, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Communication and Electronics Unit; and PCPT RYAN B BUMAL-O, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Information Technology Office, who all served as panelists.
Following this, participating teams from the different Police Provincial Offices (PPOs) and the Baguio City Police Office (CPO)—each composed of 911 call receivers and dispatchers, responders, drone operators, and a Remote Command Team led by their Unit Commanders—consecutively performed scenario-based exercises.
Participants were assessed in four major components: 911 call-handling proficiency; radio communication proficiency; drone, Zoom/Discord, and body-worn camera proficiency; and Unit Commander’s EMPO Management. These exercises were designed to test the end-to-end emergency response capability of police units, with evaluation conducted via Zoom by the panelists.
The activity concluded with an awarding ceremony recognizing the top performing units. Benguet PPO emerged as Champion and received the EMPO perpetual trophy, followed by Kalinga PPO in 2nd place and Baguio CPO in 3rd. Their performance demonstrated their effectiveness in addressing a critical situation. Other PPOs were also commended for their participation.
In his closing message, PCOL MONTE urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their daily duties, fostering a more prepared, disciplined, and capable police force.
“Sa madaling salita, ang aktibidad na ito ay magpapahusay sa ating law enforcement operations, patitibayin ang ating ugnayan, at mas mahahasa ang ating mga field commander na gumawa ng tamang desisyon sa mga actual events o scenarios na kanilang ma-eencounter,” he added. (RPIO PRO CAR /File Photos)
