ILOILO – Passi City native Colonel Ronaldo Palomo is the new director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Major General Robert Rodriguez, the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) chief of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management based in Camp Crame, confirmed this to Panay News last night, citing special order NHQ-SO-URA-2023-1613.
Rodriguez signed the special order yesterday appointing Palomo to replace Colonel Noel Aliño who has only been serving as police provincial director in an acting capacity since October 2022.
“Napirmahan ko na ang (appointment) order ni Colonel Palomo as IPPO director,” Rodriguez told Panay News in a telephone interview.
Palomo was chosen by Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. from a list of three nominees prepared by the PNP. The two others were Aliño and Police Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Region 6.
Palomo was a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy, Class 1998. He and Aliño were classmates.
He is currently assigned at the National Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the PNP in Camp Crame.
Reached by Panay News last night, Palomo said, “Naga kalipay ako sang balita. I will do my best.”
He said he is honored to serve Iloilo as IPPO director and appealed for the Ilonggos’ cooperation to keep the province peaceful and orderly.
“I’m open to criticisms,” Palomo added.
For his part, Aliño said he respected and would follow the PNP order.
“Walang problema sa akin kasi officers come and go,” he told Panay News.
Francisco also said reassignment sin the PNP is normal.
“As a good officer hindi tayo namimili ng ating assignment. We have to follow kung ano ang order ng itaas,” he said.
Last night, Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director, Brigadier General Leo Francisco said he has yet to receive special order NHQ-SO-URA-2023-1613.
Major General Rodriguez told Panay News he would be sending the order to the
PRO-6.
Governor Defensor made known to the PRO-6 his selection of Palomo on Feb. 13. The PRO-6, in turn, informed the PNP about the provincial chief executive’s decision.
Defensor said he examined the nominees’ educational attainment, background and accomplishments, and something about Palomo’s education stood out.
“As much as possible, indi ko gusto ihambal kon ano ang diperensyahanay nila. Indi ni sila mag-layo, pero may mga konsiderasyon man kita nga ginatan-aw. Sa educational attainment nga ginatan-aw naton makabulig man sa execution sang ila nga trabaho diri sa aton sa probinsya,” Defensor said./PN
