No reshuffling of police chiefs under new IPPO leadership but…

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Newly-installed Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Colonel Ronaldo Palomo is not keen on reshuffling field officers, particularly chiefs of police, as he assumed his new post.

During a press conference immediately after he was formally designated as IPPO chief, Palomo claimed that he respects the authority of the local chief executives in choosing the police officer who will lead their locality.

However, “if these chiefs of police will not deliver their accomplishments based on our assessment, then we will recommend for their relief,” he said.

Palomo said he will hold a staff conference to assess the performance of the police chiefs.

During his assumption of office, Palomo said that his focus is on the strategic thrust given by Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief.

But he didn’t ask what it was, or if Francisco has adopted his own strategic thrust for Police Regional Office (PRO) 6.

He also assured that he will abide by the PRO-6’s projects, programs, and activities.

In the same manner, he said he will follow the directives of Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. which is to “enhance the police intervention and legal operations against all forms of illegal activities – illegal drugs, illegal gambling, illegal fishing, and mining.”

But a quick check pointed out that Defensor didn’t talk about mining but about illegal quarry operations in the province.

On top of that, Palomo said they will also enhance the “911 Concept.”

“We will have that plan and we will give it to the governor for approval,” he said.

Palomo explained that the 911 Concept is about community response on security and safety.

“The 911 system will be observed in the province,” he said as he claimed to also be calling others that will compose the system like the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the municipal and provincial disaster risk reduction management office, and the Philippine Coast Guard in building and creating the 911 system.

According to reports, the 911 System was a concept of the Iloilo provincial government and there were already prior talks about it even with several provincial police directors before Palomo.