Lucas in, Vilela out at IPPO

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas will lead the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), albeit temporarily, starting today, Feb 12, 2020.

Lucas, the outgoing of PRO-6 Regional Comptrollership Division chief, said he will sit as IPPO chief in an OIC (officer-in-charge) capacity only.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said that the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board (SOPPB) has yet to forward the names of three police officers who will replace Colonel Roland Vilela at the IPPO helm.

It is unclear if Lucas is also included in the list since he is reportedly groomed to lead the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO).

NOPPO’s current director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, is set to retire a month from now.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Roland Vilela, the outgoing IPPO chief, is set to fly to the United States next month where a police attaché post is waiting for him.

Vilela assumed the IPPO top post on Sept 1, 2019.

Vilela said he was able to improve some police stations during his short stint but there are still unfinished infrastructure projects.

“We have also tried to change the mindset of the people in the province,” he said.

Going after the Libuna-Lego Robbery Group is also a half-completed project but Vilela said they were able to neutralize some of its members.

Given his short stint, Vilela said some wanted persons are still being hunted, especially Ernesto “Erning” Bolivar, who is presently considered as the region’s top drug personality.

But on the other hand, “we have brought an end to the delivery of illegal drug supply in the province. It will take a long time again to establish another connection,” he said.

Vilela said he will be leaving Iloilo for a different post.

“I would still continue to serve. I’m just glad, I was given a chance to serve the people of Iloilo,” he said.