Makati has new police chief

MANILA, Philippines - Makati City yesterday received a new police chief following a reorganization being done by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban stepped down as the city’s police chief and was replaced by Senior Superintendent Ernesto Barlam, previously assigned at the NCRPO as chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division.

A source at the Makati police said Lukban would take over Barlam’s previous post at the NCRPO. Lukban served as Makati police chief for two years.

Earlier, Lukban admitted that the Makati police is having a hard time battling petty crime in the city’s financial district as it is severely undermanned.