2 cities, 2 provinces in Western Visayas have new cop chiefs

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  â€“ A day before the election period started yesterday, several ranking police officials in Western Visayas were relieved from their posts.

Senior Superintendent Ruperto Floro, chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD), was designated as officer-in-charge of the Iloilo City police, while Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ordaniel (chief of the PNP Regional Headquarters Support Group) is now the OIC of the Bacolod City police.

Senior Superintendent Larry Decena (chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division) is the OIC of the Guimaras provincial police, and Senior Superintendent Pedrito de los Reyes, the OIC of the Antique police.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., regional police director, said the relief of Senior Superintendent Wesley Barayuga, deputy regional police director for operations, triggered the mass movement in the Western Visayas police.

Barayuga is now the executive officer of the Directorate for Logistics based at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Replacing Barayuga is Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, chief of the regional directorial staff, a post now held by Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio, immediate past chief of the Iloilo City police.

Floro’s ROPD post is now occupied by his deputy, Superintendent Samuel Nacion.

Senior Superintendent Ricardo de la Paz, former Bacolod police chief, is now the chief of the Regional Intelligence Division.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Juanita Nembran of the Guimaras police now heads the Regional Police Community Relations Division.

Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin, Iloilo police director, was not affected by the reshuffle although he has been in his post beyond the normal two-year tour of duty.

Cruz earlier had asked for Lebin’s relief, but Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. wanted him to stay until the May polls are over.

Earlier, 24 police chiefs in Iloilo province and three others in Negros Occidental were removed from their posts.