Abella named acting Negros Oriental police chief

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) designated Police Col. Jonathan Abella as the new acting provincial director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) on Tuesday.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, presided over the assumption-of-office ceremony at Maringal Hall in Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr., Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.

Abella was previously assigned to the Directorate for Police Community Relations before succeeding Police Col. Timmar Alam, who was recently relieved along with six police chiefs over their alleged failure to curb illegal gambling in the province under the Philippine National Police’s One Strike Policy.

Alam was transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit, while the six police chiefs were reassigned to the NORPPO headquarters.

In his message, Cardiño urged Abella to lead with fairness and decisiveness, understand the challenges facing the province, and maintain strong partnerships with local government units, other agencies, and, most importantly, the communities they serve.

Abella is expected to build on the province’s existing peace and security efforts while ensuring that police personnel remain disciplined, professional, and committed to their duties.

Cardiño also urged NORPPO personnel to cooperate with and support their new provincial director, emphasizing that the success of a command depends on the collective effort of its personnel.

The regional director stressed that public safety is not merely about responding to crime but also about being present and ready when people call for help, in line with PRO-NIR’s goal of working together toward a safer region.

NORPPO officers and personnel welcomed Abella and expressed their support for carrying out their mandate with dedication and unity while ensuring peace, security, and responsive public service across the province.

They also expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Alam for his leadership, service, and contributions during his tenure.