CCPO leadership reshuffles men

CEBU, Philippines - At least five police officials of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) were reassigned to other posts effective yesterday.

CCPO Director Noli Romana said he expects a better performance from the different police stations with the reshuffling, which he describes as a "rotation" among the police officers involved.

The units affected by the move include the Fuente, San Nicolas, and Punta Princesa Police Stations, as well as the Operations Branch and the Traffic Patrol Group of CCPO.

Supt. Emily Santos from the Police Regional Office 7 replaced Operations Branch chief David Señor.

Señor now heads the Fuente Police Station, which used to be headed by Chief Insp. Renero Agustin. Agustin who is set to retire soon is now assigned at Romana's office.

Supt. Rey Tiempo who headed the Operations Branch in 2011, is back in CCPO as chief of the Traffic Patrol Group. He replaced Senior Insp. Bienvenido Miral who is now his deputy.

Senior Insp. Eunil Avergonzado, meanwhile, formerly chief of San Nicolas or Taboan Police Station, is now chief of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (CAIDSOTG).

Former Punta Princesa Police Station Chuck Branadog is the new chief of San Nicolas Police Station.

CAIDSOTG former chief Gerald Suquib replaced Barandog in Punta Princesa Police Station.

Romana said among the reasons the reshuffling was done is to have a "more effective force" and seniority among the officers involved.

"Kino-consider natin ang expertise nila, kung saang unit sila mas effective," Romana said. He belied insinuations the officers were reshuffled owing to laxity. He said his men are doing their job.

Romana said he is determined to curb the increasing theft, illegal drugs and illegal gambling cases in the city.

Arrest

Meanwhile, CCPO arrested a notorious gun-for-hire of a druglord in his alleged hideout in Barangay San Roque at 6 pm last Monday.

Ybo Lastimosa, 38, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Estela Singco of the Regional Trail Court Branch 12 for the crime of murder.

Acting on the tip of the informant, operatives of Waterfront Police Station 3 led by Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu and the Investigation and Detective Management Branch led by Chief Insp. Aileen Recla swooped down on Lastimosa's hideout in Palma St. and arrest the suspect, who tried to shoot it out with the police.

Romana said Lastimosa has been the subject of a manhunt operation since January. Last Monday was the third attempt to arrest Lastimosa, he said.

Lastimosa is tagged as suspect in the killing of Ildefonso Vega, Jr. of Taliusay City on November 17  last year and the killing of a certain Roy Bas of Talisay City also some time last year too. The suspect is also reportedly responsible in the shooting and wounding of barangay tanod Serafin Britania of Barangay San Roque last February 10. — (FREEMAN)