TODAY, Police Regional Director Florante Baguio takes a final bow, as he formally turns over command to incoming PNP-10 Regional Director Superintendent Teodorico Capuyan in simple ceremonies scheduled at Camp Alagar in Lapasan Friday.
But even then Baguio's retirement went underway as early as last week with media groups giving their commendations to the quiet, yet efficient police official whose greatest achievement may be his maintenance of peace and order here in Northern Mindanao. And it was during his term that the PNP-10 regional office would formally set its own transfer of headquarters.
It was also during his time that a new police precinct in the city was established courtesy of some aid from local businessmen and social housing was provided for the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) in keeping with the national objective by the PNP of providing affordable housing for its most financially challenged personnel.
Spoiling what may be an otherwise good record is the continued attacks on police precincts and police officers by the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in various parts of Misamis Oriental province.
But then again, that's another story altogether and a continuing challenge for both the PNP and the military.
So it is but apropos for city residents and officials alike to commend Baguio for a job well done as he takes a final bow and enters civilian life.
For the incoming PNP-10 Regional Director Capuyan, may he prove a better successor and continue the PNP mandate to serve and protect the residents of Northern Mindanao.
Carelessness
The sinking of a barge reportedly carrying 100 tons of tar balls off the coast of a Misamis Occidental may only serve to confirm the dismal safety record of the country's shipping industry.
Whatever the reasons for this accident, affected residents won't care since they and their families would bear the brunt of the damage wrought on their waters for years to come. And owing to their connections, the perpetrators may yet get away with only a slap on their wrists.
First to be held accountable of course are the management and crew of the barge and Petron, which dismissed the spill as nothing to be alarmed about since the tar balls--or the oil debris, which the barge carried from damaged Guimaras--had "been weathering for sometime."
This contrasts sharply with an admission from Office of Civil Defense (OCD) officials who, while stating that the barge carried only a small load of oil debris, stated that it would certainly affect the ecosystems in the affected areas.
The management or owners of the barge and Petron certainly have a lot to answer for not only to the people of Guimaras but to the thousands of affected residents of Misamis Occidental.
And it is up to local and the national government officials to see to it that these persons and entities bear the full brunt of the legal, moral and socio-economic consequences of their actions.
