ICPO personnel assignment up for review by intel unit

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Newly installed Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) chief Colonel Joeresty Coronica has submitted the names of officers who will be affected by a massive revamp.

Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, said Coronica already made recommendations on who will take over the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) and Iloilo City Police Station 5 in Mandurriao district.

“Pinag-aaralan ko pa dahil I have to wait for some validations being conducted by the Regional Intelligence Unit,” Francisco said.

Reports claimed that Coronica also made recommendations on the relief and reassignment of personnel in other units and stations, including both officers and non-commissioned officers.

“By Friday, may results na sa lahat,” Francisco said.

Lieutenant Colonel Albert Sy, ICPO City Intelligence Unit (CIU) chief, will concurrently sit as ICPS5 officer-in-charge.

Sy’s order to replace ICPS5 “caretaker,” Captain Benjie Dicen, was issued on Jan 28, 2023.

On Jan 27, Francisco publicly ordered the relief of all ICPO-CDEU and ICPS5.

Francisco issued the order after the anti-illegal drug operation at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo which led to the arrest of 32 persons and confiscation of P918,000 worth of suspected shabu.

He made the announcement during the changeover of command ceremony at the ICPO.

Led by Inspector Marlon Perez, the CDEU is composed of around 15 personnel while ICPS5, with Major Rey Sumagaysay as its commander, has 91 personnel.

Francisco did not mince words that he was not satisfied with their performance.

Some ICPO personnel might be transferred to other units outside the city even as the city command plans to infuse new officers into the unit.