PNP chief visits Western Visayas, finally

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Third time is the charm.

After being called off twice, the visit of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar in Western Visayas finally pushed through.

Eleazar will hold a five-day command visit to Western Visayas, several weeks before his mandatory retirement on November 13, 2021.

He arrived morning of October 6 at the Iloilo International Airport and led a scheduled inspection and talk with the personnel of the Iloilo City Police Station 5 in Mandurriao district.

He then visited the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) headquarters at Camp Plagata in Gen. Luna Street, City Proper district.

As he customarily does, the country’s top cop also visited the Archbishop’s Palace in Jaro district.

Eleazar also made a courtesy call to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas at the Iloilo City Hall.

On October 7, he will preside the Police Regional (PRO)-6’s celebration of the 120th Police Service Anniversary.

The following day, he is expected to visit police offices in Guimaras, Antique, Aklan and Capiz.

On October 9 and 10, Eleazar will set foot on Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

Eleazar has been doing rounds all over the country since he assumed the PNP’s top post on May 8, 2021. The only regions left on his itinerary are Regions 5 and 6.

Eleazar was supposed to visit Western Visayas sometime in August, but it was postponed due to community quarantine restrictions.

His visit on September was again cancelled, as the city and province of Iloilo were still on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status.

Despite being highly visible, Eleazar has earlier declared that he wanted to finish his term, effectively turning down calls to run for senator in the May 2022 elections.

He said he wants to focus on his job as PNP chief.