Barias will cap his duties as chief of the Western Visayas Police Office Wednesday, only five months since he assumed the post in August last year.
He is set to become the new chief of the Directorial for Investigation and Detection Management (DIDM) in Camp Crame, replacing Chief Superintendent Ed Doromal who was promoted to head the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
"My sudden relief has nothing to do with any controversies or with any election movements. My relief means promotion after PNP Deputy Director General Isidro Lapeña retired," Barias, also a former Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) director and chief of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division, explained.
Lapeña, on the other hand, will be replaced by PNP Deputy Director General for Operations Antonio Beliones. Beliones will be replaced by CIDG chief, Chief Superintendent Jesus "Jess" Verzosa and Verzosa will be replaced by Doromal.
"So that's it. Promotion was the reason behind my instant relief and nothing more," Barias stressed.
Turn-over
The turnover of various commands in Crame will be held Wednesday while the turn-over at the Police Regional Office in Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City from Barias to his classmate-successor, Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay will be held either Friday or Saturday this week.
Dulay, currently chief of the PNP Legal Services also in Camp Crame, was the director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) two years ago.
"I hope that Negrenses and Ilonggos will also support my classmate. He's one of the best police officers. Please extend all your support to him for the betterment of Western Visayas," Barias appealed.
Barias added that leaving Western Visayas is not easy for him, "I will miss the peace loving Negrenses and Ilonggos."
"Although several major calamities and celebrated crimes occurred during my term, I am not ashamed to say to all Negrenses and Ilonggos that I've done a lot in responding to these calamities and crimes," he said.
Among the calamities that hit Western Visayas during Barias' term were the oil spill in Guimaras, the drowning of more than 20 mourners in Igbaras town and the typhoon Senyang that hit Aklan Province including the premier Boracay island.
For celebrated crimes, these include the airport attack in Silay City by the alleged members of the Larangang Guerilla 3 of the New People's Army (NPA), the assassination of vice mayor of Tapaz town in Capiz, the Tubungan attack in Iloilo and the alleged kidnapping of a businessman in Iloilo City, among others.
"I responded to all these incidents. And, I also did everything to gain prestige and honor that truly redeemed PRO6's image as the `real protector' of Negrenses and Ilonggos," Barias said, adding, "internally and physically, I changed the landscape of PRO6."
Still supportive
Meanwhile, with the sudden change of command at regional office, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ronilo Quebrar said he will still support anyone who will replace Gen. Barias.
"As as a police officer and gentleman, I am still bound to follow, obey and respect our regional commander," he said.
For Noppo Director Rosendo Franco, he said, "I am not yet in the position to say something on the sudden change of command at PRO6."
