3 police stations get new chiefs

CEBU, Philippines - Three police stations under the Cebu Provincial Police Office get new chiefs following the turnover ceremony at the provincial police headquarters yesterday.

Former Minglanilla police chief Senior Insp. Leoncio Baliguat Jr. was sworn in as the new chief of Sta. Fe Police Station, while former San Fernando police chief Chief Insp. Jovito Canlapan was tasked to take over the post vacated by Baliguat. On the other hand, former Santa Fe police chief Senior Insp. Jaime Santillan will assume the position that was vacated by Canlapan.

Also affected by the re-assignment was Minglanilla Police Station deputy chief SPO4 Romeo Elacion who was transferred to Lilo-an Police Station.

Baliguat was transferred while facing administrative investigation for his alleged failure to supervise his men to man the traffic in their area while the convoy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo passes by going to Argao for the wake of the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

CPPO director Senior Supt. Erson Digal said that the transfer of the police chiefs was approved and supposed to take effect last February 16.

The three re-assigned police officials said they consider their new assignment as a new challenge.

Both the local government units of San Fernando and Minglanilla have expressed satisfaction to the performances of Canlapan and Baliguat, respectively.

In an interview, Baliguat said the incident that caused his transfer out of Minglanilla was already a history for him and as a junior officer he will follow command responsibility. Baliguat’s first assignment as Sta. Fe police chief is to check reports about the presence of the City of Bogo Anti-Crime Task Force (CBACTAF) in his new area of jurisdiction and to maintain the peace and order in the town. This after receiving reports that the CBACTAF members, who are supposed to be visible only in Bogo City, are also seen in Sta. Fe.

Digal had instructed Baliguat and his men that if they see the CBACTAF bringing firearms, they should immediately arrest them.

Meanwhile, Digal tasked Canlapan to lessen the traffic situation in Minglanilla by coordinating with the Land Transportation Office which has the authority to penalize traffic violators.

“Naa naman unta ni ordinance (on traffic) pero ang kuwang lang mao ang pag-implement,” Digal said. He gave Canlapan two weeks to one month to do the job. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)