BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – An officer-in-charge (OIC) does not suffice. The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) must have a full-fledged director. The recent appoint of Police Colonel Bayani Razalan was just as OIC.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will be recommending to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. three eligible police colonels for IPPO director, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, the regional police office spokesperson.
The final decision rests with the governor, he stressed.
Solis confirmed that the IPPO leadership change is part of a broader initiative to strengthen law enforcement.
“This process ensures that the leadership of the IPPO is stable and robust, equipped to handle the challenges ahead,” Solis said.
Razalan, the chief of PRO-6’s Regional Intelligence Division, temporarily replaced Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, who has been reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section.
“The leadership change reflects our commitment to upholding high standards of law enforcement and public service,” said Solis.
On April 18, a month after he was issued an ultimatum to improve the police’s campaign against illegal gambling, Palomo was axed as IPPO director.
Last month, PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky warned that Palomo could be removed from his post if he did not improve efforts in the fight against illegal gambling, particularly “bookies”.
Between March 3 and 10, the IPPO conducted only three successful anti-illegal gambling operations, data from the PRO-6 showed.
Wanky expressed his disappointment, noting that he had expected an increase in police operations following the cessation of operations by the 7 Aces Games and Amusement Corp., the Small Town Lottery (STL) authorized agent corporation in Iloilo province, on Feb. 28.
But he gave Palomo a chance to improve his performance on combating illegal gambling.
“If his performance does not improve and their arrests or operations remain very low, I will recommend his removal from the position,” said Wanky last month./PN
