By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — Senior Supt. Pedrito Escarilla yesterday assumed as the new officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Escarilla had been chosen by Mayor Monico Puentevella from among eight nominees for the position left vacant by retired Senior Supt. Larry Decena.
He said he is accepting the mayor’s challenge to rid this capital city of illegal drug pushers.
However, Escarilla said he is yet to look at BCPO’s status to determine what priorities his leadership should have.
“All I want from the mayor is his support,” he said.
Puentevella yesterday warned drug pushers to “watch out.” He said he wants “drug pushers out of Bacolod during my term.”
“You better find another place to do your illegal business in. Don’t do it in our city,” the mayor declared. “I am giving them until my birthday on July 2 to vacate the city.”
Puentevella also challenged the police to “clear the streets of Bacolod of everything illegal.”
He said he will personally take part in BCPO’s anti-drug operations if necessary. “I may have been kind during my first year as mayor, but now I will be relentless,” he said.
Escarilla said the police, city government and the community must help each other to make Bacolod a safer place to live and do business in.
“There is no place like home. I am happy that I am back home,” Escarilla said of his designation. Prior to his new assignment, he was detailed at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.
Other nominees were Senior Superintendents Edgardo Ordaniel, Iver Apellido, Marianito Valerio, Marlon Ganzon, Gasmer Desumangco, Ren Darroca and Julius Laginit, all currently assigned at PRO-6./PN
