PALO, Leyte — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has distributed 50 Unified 911 emergency response motorcycles to strengthen the mobility of Tourist Police Units (TPUs) across Eastern Visayas.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla led the turnover on 11 August 2026 at the Police Regional Office 8 headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon.

Nine motorcycles were allocated to the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office, while the Leyte Police Provincial Office and Tacloban City Police Office received eight units each.

The Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar police provincial offices, as well as the Ormoc City Police Office, received five units each.

The motorcycles were formally received by representatives of the respective local governments, including Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, Tacloban acting Mayor Raymund Romualdez, Southern Leyte Board Member Rolando Bacoy, Biliran DRRMO's Sofronio Dacillo Jr., Ormoc Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin Jr., Samar Vice Gov. Arnold Tan, Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone and Northern Samar Board Member Lope Dorado Jr.

PRO 8 regional director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the additional motorcycles would enable tourist police personnel to respond more quickly to incidents and strengthen police visibility in tourist destinations.

“These additional mobility assets will greatly help our Tourist Police Units become more responsive, especially in areas frequented by tourists,” Capoy said.

He added that the motorcycles would make police personnel more visible and accessible, particularly in areas where immediate assistance is needed.