Wants drug-free Toledo, Osmeña picks police chief

CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña has picked a new city police chief on his first day of office.

Osmeña led the flag raising ceremony at the new Toledo City Hall in barangay Ilihan where he announced the designation of Police Chief Insp. Michael Bastes, formerly assigned as the chief of the Investigative and Detective Management Bureau in Mandaue City.

Bastes received his transfer order on the same day. He replaced Supt. Henry Biñas who is transferred to Mandaue City Police Office as deputy director.

Osmeña chose Bastes as police chief because of his track record in curbing the illegal drug problem in Cebu.

Osmeña’s first mandate to Bastes is to make Toledo City drug-free in 30 days.

To do this, Osmeña recognized the need to upgrade the police headquarters and provide more patrol cars and other necessary equipment. 

Bastes was right away issued his own patrol car which is the Ford Everest vehicle issued to former mayor Aurelio “Rudy” Espinosa. Osmeña said he will continue to use his personal car.

Osmeña wants to transfer the police station in a building inside the MTCC compound which will be vacated by the agriculture office, if the plan is feasible.

He said the agriculture office must be located close to the farmers it serves in the hilly lands.

The new City Hall houses the different offices of the City Government including the legislative department.

However, Osmeña will be holding his office at the former Traveller’s Inn in the city proper to be closer to the people.

Bastes said that being the police chief in Toledo is a challenge for him as the city has more barangays located in mountain areas than Mandaue, his previous post.

The new police chief will also lead his personnel on streets. He also brings with him to his new post his trackers and personnel who are experts in drug operations.

It was not only Bastes and Biñas are swapped but also Supt. Elmer Lim and Supt. Resty Santos who now heads the Danao City Police Station and Talisay City Police Station, respectively. 

Santos who is now in Danao will focus on addressing robberies and killings in Talisay. He is also looking forward to additional substations in some critical areas.

For his part, Lim will focus on anti-criminality campaign, street crimes involving fraternities and to improve their administrative capabilities.

“Now we request for additional patrol cars, handheld radios and CCTV (close-circuit television) cameras,” Lim told The FREEMANin a phone interview.

To address the illegal drugs immediately, Lim said he will be requesting the PDEA-7 to put up a satellite office in Danao City.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said that changes are part of adjustments and management.

Comendador added that other local chief executives have yet to coordinate with their office requesting for new police chiefs. (FREEMAN)