Napolcom-7 has new chief

CEBU, Philippines - The assistant regional director of National Police Commission-7 from two years ago is back as the new chief of the said government agency.

Homer Mariano Cabaral formally assumed office yesterday during the turnover ceremony. He took over from acting regional director Ramon Rañeses who will replace Cabaral in Region 10 as the new regional director.

Cabaral said that he will continue the works and action plan of former regional director Bernardo Calibo who retired last December 8 at the age of 65.

Cabaral intends to ensure that policemen will be spared from any legal issues, improve their craft and further professionalize the ranks of the Philippine National Police.

He also said he will implement Republic Act 9708, which states that “an institution of a criminal action or complaint against a police officer shall not be a bar to promotion.”

RA 9708 further states that a police officer will only be ineligible for promotion if there is probable cause found in the case filed against him. But if the case remains unresolved after two years, the officer will again be eligible for promotion.

“This law will remove the fear from our police officers, who are always the subject of harassment cases,” Cabaral said.

“It will assure them that only legitimate cases will prosper and that harassment cases filed by powerful people like drug lords, for instance, wouldn’t prevent the advancement and progress of dedicated police officers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jose Concepcion Jr., is the new assistant regional director and administration chief of Napolcom-7.

Zandro Ronnie Oriol retains his position as the public information officer and as the Provincial Attorney V who covers Cebu Province specifically in the Southern portion of the province.

Maximo Lasaca I will handle Cebu province-Northern portion and Aloha Arante-Peñaranda will be the city officer for Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

In Negros and Siquijor Jose Cumon will be the Provincial Attorney V while Olive Grace Tapayan will handle Bohol.

Meanwhile, Risty Sibay is the new chief of Technical Service Division and Mark Divino will be the deputy chief of Technical Service Division and Onassis Pata will be the executive director at the Office of the regional director. — Johanna T. Natavio/BRP

   (FREEMAN NEWS)