Natuel to solve shootings, illegal drugs in NegOr.

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr.,  newly-installed OIC director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO), on Tuesday assured the public that he will concentrate on resolving criminality in the province, especially on illegal drugs, which is his top priority.

Natuel vowed to give full attention to the spate of  killings in Dumaguete City and other parts of the province, majority of which were related to the illegal drugs problem.

The turnover of command ceremony, where Natuel replaced Supt. Alet Virtucio, was attended by Gov. Roel Degamo, Vice Gov. Mark Macias, Jess Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights and other key police officials.

Natuel officially took his first assignment as provincial police director. He was previously the police director of the Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City Police Offices. He held his first command conference with police chiefs and other unit commanders at Camp Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan town, after the installation rites.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, director of the Police Regional Office-7, had a marching order for  Natuel to minimize shooting incidents, increase the arrests of wanted persons and confiscation of loose firearms.

Degamo, for his part, said his first order of the day for Natuel was to assume all the responsibilities that he previously gave to Virtucio, especially on the alleged black sand mining controversy in Tanjay City. "I believe that with your capabilities you will be able to effectively lead our police force," he told the police official.

In a related development, Degamo, on behalf of  the provincial government, thanked Virtucio for having effectively carried out his responsibilities during his stint as OIC police director of Negros Oriental.

Degamo, assisted by Fernando Martinez of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, handed a commendation to Virtucio for the latter's contribution and work in fighting the illegal drugs problem in the province. — (FREEMAN)