New Ifugao top cop installed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Simple rites marked the turnover of police leadership in Ifugao Wednesday morning at the Camp Joaquin Dunuan.

Newly installed Ifugao police top cop Senior Superintendent Angelito Abellera Casimiro took the reins from Senior Superintendent Laurence Mombael, who led the police force in the province for two years.

Casimiro vowed to halt illegal gambling and illegal logging in the province, deeming these two concerns as his top priorities as he assumed power.

Casimiro asked for support not only from the highland police force but also from the citizenry of Ifugao to help put into practice good governance and police community support in the province.

He said police support will become a success if the entire community pitches in efforts to halt illegal gambling and logging, making the province peaceful for all.

The province’s top cop position has been left vacant for almost two months with police Superintendent Ramil Saculles taking charge as officer-in-charge until Cordillera police chief Bnejamin Magalog ordered Casimiro to take over.

Casimiro is from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and graduated at the Philippine Military as a member of Class 1988.

He served as chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera for three years.

Turnover ceremonies were led by Senior Superintendent Roberto Soriano, deputy regional director for administration, with Ifugao Governor Eugene Ballitang as guest of honor.