New top cop warns rogue personnel

BACOLOD City – Senior Supt. Romeo Baleros, newly-appointed officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), has warned policemen in the province against engaging in illegal activities.

“We have zero tolerance to any member of the Philippine National Police who is found directly or indirectly involved in illicit activity. The full force of the law shall be applied against you,” Baleros said in his speech during the command turnover ceremony held at the Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. here Monday.

He added that the NOCPPO has “no place for a few members who are still involved in illegal activities”.

“I will not condone anyone who taint the good image of our prestigious organization,” Baleros said.

The new provincial police chief took the helm from Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil Jr., who also succeeded Baleros in his previous post as chief of the the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 (Western Visayas) Intelligence Division.

The turnover of command was supervised by Senior Supt. Harold Tuzon, chief of PRO-6 Directorial Staff, in the presence of Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Carmelo Orbista, and National Police Commission Provincial Director Mae Diamante.

“As the newly-installed officer-in-charge, I have three lined up programs to be implemented under my watch which are anchored on the President’s priority thrust programs that he used as battlecry during the 2016 campaign period,” Baleros said.

He said these are the government efforts against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

“First, let us conduct continuing legal offensives against illegal drug traffickers and illegal substance abusers and their cohorts under the concept of demand and supply reduction and implementation of Project: Double Barrel…I will be in the frontline in the fight against this menace,” he said.

Baleros said the provincial police will assist and support the members of the anti-drug abuse councils in conducting their drug clearing program, as a support unit of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6.

“Second, is our extensive and intensive anti-criminality campaign. We have to prevent and suppress all forms of criminality and other forms of threat by conducting deliberate and sustained operations on eight focus crimes,” he pointed out.

Baleros said the campaign will be done alongside their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as the national support units, and concerned stakeholders.

He urged Negrense policemen to strengthen the campaign against criminals, put them behind bars, and ensure their convictions.

“Third, is our utmost desire to get rid of corruption and cleanse our ranks of misfits and scalawags,” he said.

Baleros stressed that the doctrine of “punishment and reward” will be equally applied among the policemen.

“Those who excel in their performance shall be awarded and given recognition while personnel who are still involved in irregularities and other forms of unlawful activities using his or her position for personal gain will be investigated,” he further said. (PNA)