THE new director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will have his work cut out to continue what his predecessor started in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Col. Roderick Mariano took the reins of the CPPO from Col. Manuel Abrugena during a formal turnover ceremony at the CPPO grounds on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

“What we have agreed is the continuation of the ‘no letup campaign on illegal drugs, and the no letup campaign against rogues in uniform.’ Magpapatuloy ‘yung mga cases (Those cases will continue). It’s a given that whatever cases I wasn’t able to resolve during my term as director, Col. Mariano would pursue them,” Abrugena said.

One of Mariano’s top priorities will be to oversee the ongoing investigation of high-profile cases like the deaths of Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III and San Fernando Association of Barangay Councils president Ricardo Reluya Jr., among others, he said.

In spite of the change in the administration, the Police Regional Office 7 is certain that the CPPO is stable and is “very” capable of carrying out its mandate.

Abrugena took over from Senior Supt. Alan Okubo as CPPO director on May 9, 2018.

In an order dated June 18, 2019, Camp Crame reassigned Abrugena to the National Capital Region Police Office to replace Mariano as chief of the Presidential PNP Security Force Unit.

Abrugena became emotional during his speech, saying the CPPO had become his second home.

“I have been attached to the Cebuanos already. I have made many friendships in the province (Cebu) and I already treat this office as my home.... It’s here where I saw love, support and respect,” he said.

He also said he is certain Mariano will continue the current development in the CPPO.

Mariano said filling Abrugena’s shoes was a big responsibility, but he promised to sustain whatever good programs the CPPO has already implemented.

Last year, the CPPO was chosen as the best provincial police office in police community relations in Central Visayas.

He said he will be particular with the community policy as he believes that with the support of the community, there will be no problem in implementing peace and order.

“We have to sustain the programs of our President, especially our fight against illegal drugs and our efforts to internally cleanse our ranks. My leadership would be according to the directives of our regional director. I will reach out to our municipalities. I will initiate talks with them to help and entice them to cooperate with us,” Mariano said. (WBS)