New Iloilo police chief formally assumes post

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Colonel Ronaldo Palomo formally assumed the helm of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Friday afternoon at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 headquarters in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City.

Palomo’s assumption came earlier than the scheduled turnover of command on Monday, March 6.

Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, led the handover between Palomo and Colonel Noel Aliño, the former IPPO chief.

Francisco said that the change of leadership is nothing new in the police organization.

“Ang pagbabago ay kailangan upang lalong mas magiging matatag sa serbisyo, at makapagbigay ng accomplishments. As leaders, the moment you accept leadership positions, we open ourselves to greater appraisal of our capacity to lead and deliver,” he said.

The region’s top cop said that people learn from changes where they grow and imbibe new things.

Addressing Palomo, Francisco said that the new assignment will give new opportunity for him to continue to do more than what he has already accomplished.

“I fully expect an Ilonggo police force that is more responsive, committed, and proactive to the security needs of our community. I trust in your capabilities so please don’t disappoint me,” he said.

A day after he was ordered reassigned to PRO-6, Palomo has already reported to the regional headquarters for courtesy calls.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. picked Palomo who was then assigned to the National Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.

Both Aliño and Palomo are members of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1998.

Palomo, who hails from Passi City but is now living in Guimaras province, was recommended for the IPPO top post along with Aliño and Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., who previously led the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – Region 6.

Balmaceda is a member of PNPA Class 1997.

Aliño replaced Colonel Adrian Acollador as IPPO chief in October 2022.