ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. challenged Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, new Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, to sustain the strategic direction set forth by his predecessor.
Miranda, who previously helmed the Manila Police District, replaced Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan as Western Visayas’ top cop. A turnover of command ceremony was held at Camp Delgado in this city on Dec. 2.
“Padayunon lang ang ginhimu ni [Brigadier] General Pamuspusan nga maayo para sa probinsya sang Iloilo,” said Defensor.
He expects Miranda to sustain the gains of the PRO-6 in the revitalized campaign against illegal drugs, and the peace and order in the region.
The governor also wanted to continue the strict implementation of community quarantine measures in Iloilo province. He underscored role of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in curtailing the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the enforcement of minimum health standards.
Miranda is no stranger to Defensor. According to the governor, he met Miranda when he was still the congressman of the 3rd District.
“Sa subong, we just want to collaborate with them, well in the same manner maayo ang collaboration naton with the police sa COVID-19,” said Defensor.
On Wednesday, Miranda’s inaugural speech focused on his thrusts for Western Visayas.
“We will closely work with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other law enforcement agencies in our pursuit to end the problems brought about by illegal drugs,” Miranda added.
One of the key strategies Miranda is pushing is going after high-valued drug personalities in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as those in the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
Miranda said policemen region-wide will also undergo random drug testing.
He will also focus on the campaign against illegal gambling, criminality, internal cleansing, and anti-insurgency./PN
