‘Search’ on for next Iloilo police chief

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) on Monday confirmed that they are scouting for officers to lead the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said Police a Colonel Roland Vilela will soon be leaving IPPO.

“He is earmarked for a police attaché post in Los Angeles, USA,” he said.

Pamuspusan said the PNP national headquarters has yet to issue the list from which the Iloilo governor can pick Vilela’s replacement.

But Pamuspusan said he will also be recommending senior officials from PRO-6 to replace Vilela.

One candidate is Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, the current PRO-6 Regional Comptrollership Division chief.

Another candidate is newly-promoted Police Colonel Pablito Asmod, the PRO-6 Regional Investigation, and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) chief.

But there were reports that while Lucas is groomed for the IPPO top post, he is reportedly eyeing the post to be vacated by Colonel Romeo Baleros, the director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), who will soon retire from the police service.

“Syempre, if we have our choice, we wanted someone na homegrown, who knows the terrain and culture of the Ilonggos,” Pamuspusan said.

Aside from IPPO, Pamuspusan said they might put someone to act as PRO-6 chief of the regional directorial staff while Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba is on leave.

In the meantime, Tayaba’s post is concurrently filled in by Police Colonel Lope Manlapaz, the chief of the PRO-6 personnel division.

Pamuspusan clarified that revamps of PRO-6 division officials is not a performance issue.

“I think they’ve given their best. It’s just that some officers need to go to other assignments,” he said.