4 new Metro police directors to be graded vs crime today

MANILA, Philippines - The performance of four newly installed police district directors in Metro Manila in the war against crime will be known today, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said yesterday.

Valmoria said the crime rate in the jurisdiction of the district directors since they assumed office on Oct. 9 would be graded when they meet for a command conference at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

To be graded are Senior Superintendent Rolando Nana of the Manila Police District (MPD); Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD); Chief Superintendent Jonathan Miano of the Northern Police District (NPD), and Chief Superintendent Henry Rañola of the Southern Police District (SPD).

No sanctions would be imposed on them should the crime incidence in their areas of responsibility rose since they are new on the job, Valmoria said.

“Instead, we will give them pointers on how to handle the peculiarities of a wave of criminal activities in a certain area until they are able to solve them,” he said.

Valmoria, however, warned that police station commanders would most likely be sacked for being remiss in their duties.

Four of the five police district directors of Metro Manila had been relieved amid rising crimes and controversies hounding the Philippine National Police.

Relieved were Richard Albano of QCPD, Rolando Asuncion of MPD, Erwin Villacorte of SPD and Edgardo Layug of NPD. All four hold the rank of chief superintendent, the equivalent of a one-star general in the military.

The NCRPO has been grading weekly its police officials in the campaign against crime since June 15.

Valmoria said he postponed the grading system last week since the four district directors had just assumed their posts.

He said the NCRPO is focused on its efforts to curb cases of theft and robbery, especially during the onset of the Christmas season.

“We noted that there is no significant increase in theft and robbery cases but we want to reduce them further to assure the public that we are ready to secure them,” Valmoria said.