BY EUGENE Y.ADIONG
BACOLOD City – Mayor Monico Puentevella said he already has somebody in mind to be the next director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
He said the police officer of his choice had a “minor” problem, that was why his appointment was held in abeyance.
“But he already fixed the problem. He can now take over,” Puentevella said.
The incoming BCPO director will focus on the illegal drug and traffic problems, he added.
The mayor, however, declined to name his choice.
The public will know Tuesday next week during the formal turnover ceremony, he said.
Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, regional police director, had submitted a list of eight nominees for the BCPO’s top post.
It included Senior Supts. Edgardo Ordaniel, Iver Apellido, Pedrito Escarilla, Marianito Valerio, Marlon Ganzon, Kashmir Desomangcop, Ren Darroca and Julius Laginit.
All these police officers are currently assigned at the Police Regional Office 6 in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City.
Albeit Puentevella be the one choosing, Angan said the final approval will come from Police Director General Allan Purisima and the National Police Commission through the Senior Officers Placement Board (SOPB).
Ordaniel was formerly the acting director of the BCPO before he was replaced by Senior Supt. Larry Decena who retired from the police service just this June 13.
Currently acting as caretaker of the BCPO is Supt. Armando Tubongbanua, deputy city director for administration.
Apellido was promoted as senior superintendent just last December and once served as head of the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Camp Anecito Lacson in Victorias City.
Escarilla, on the other hand, served as acting director of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) last year and head of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division at the Police Regional Office 6 in 2011.
Escarilla is said to be the frontrunner for BCPO director./PN
