BACOLOD City – Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay officially assumed his post as the newly designated officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) following an installation ceremony at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania here yesterday.
According to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office’s (NOCPPO) Public Information Office (PIO), Ibay was accorded with arrival honors.
He was formally welcomed by Police Colonel Dennis Esguerra, the PRO-NIR’s deputy regional director for administration.
Also present during the ceremony were NOCPPO director Colonel Rainero De Chavez, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office director Colonel Ronan Claravall, Siquijor Police Provincial Office director Colonel Emelie Santos, and Bacolod City Police Office director Colonel Joeresty Coronica.
Ibay, in his message, expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the PRO-NIR for the warm welcome.
He emphasized the importance of proactive crime prevention efforts, the strengthening of community partnerships, and strict adherence to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) operational procedures.
Additionally, Ibay, the former director of the Manila Police District, firmly underscored a policy of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct within the ranks, encouraging professionalism, discipline, and integrity in the performance of duty.
Ibay’s appointment marks a significant milestone for NIR, which is currently undergoing institutional and structural buildup following the passage of Republic Act No. 12000 that reinstated it as a separate administrative region covering Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
In an earlier order issued by the PNP headquarters, Ibay’s appointment as PRO-NIR OIC took effect on April 10, 2025./PN
