BRIGADIER General Josefino Ligan officially assumed leadership of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) and delivered a strong message of transformation during his assumption speech on Saturday, June 21, 2025, promising a faster, more unified, and accountable regional police force.
“When I first donned this uniform thirty-one years ago, I took my oath and swore to serve and protect the Filipino people. Today, as your Regional Director, I renew that vow with profound humility and an unshakable belief in our collective potential,” Ligan said.
“Crime happens in an instant. And so must our response. Through radio coordination, unified protocols, and unwavering discipline, we will harness our collective strength and summon the full force of PRO-6 within five minutes of an emergency,” he added.
In his speech at the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas headquarters, Brigadier General Ligan laid out his vision of a near-perfect policing system based on three pillars introduced by the Chief of the Philippine National Police, General Nicolas Deloso Torre III: swift and responsive public service, unity and morale within the ranks, and accountability and modernization.
He vowed to transform PRO 6 into a single, intelligent, and agile force capable of responding to any threat across the region’s provinces, including Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.
To realize swift and responsive public service, Ligan pledged to empower patrol teams from Iloilo City to the farthest Barangay in Antique with authority, mobility, and standard protocols to ensure response within five minutes.
“Ang kusog sang isa ka pulis, halin sa tagipusuon,” Ligan said.
(The strength of a police officer comes from the heart.)
To strengthen unity and morale within the ranks, he committed to building trust through open dialogue, the formation of peer councils, and internal counter-intelligence to preserve integrity and discipline. “Sa pagbinuligay, malab-ot naton ang kusog kag kaligon,” he stated, emphasizing that collaboration and trust are the foundations of a resilient police force.
(Working together, we can achieve strength and resilience.)
As for accountability and modernization, Ligan said the region will adopt data-driven strategies and standardized procedures, while Field Training Exercises will ensure officers remain competent and innovative. He also issued a strong warning: “Police officers who err in their duties, who tarnish the badge and break the trust of the people, will face consequences. There must be no room for error in the execution of our duty. Those who fail to meet the standards of our service will be relieved of duty and subjected to the appropriate disciplinary measures."
Ligan emphasized that community trust is essential to successful policing. “The people must believe in their police who are always ready to respond,” he said. “Indi na kami pagpangitaa sa mga presinto—ara na kami nga kapulisan sa inyo telepono. I-dial lang ang 911. Mag-abot kami sulod sang lima ka minuto.”
Born in Cebu but now serving Western Visayas, Ligan reflected on the image of Lapu-Lapu on their police badges, calling on officers to live up to the bravery and leadership symbolized by the hero. He also extended gratitude to national leaders and his family—his wife, Mayor Peve Obaniana Ligan, mayor of Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, and children Nino and Uno—for their unwavering support.
The new regional director concluded his message with a call for faith and shared purpose: “Believe in what we are now. Have faith in what we shall become. Dreams come true with faith. Tayo ang Police Regional Office 6—Kasaligan at Kaagapay gid ng Mamamayan. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang gusto ng Pulis—Ligtas Ka!”
(The citizen is trusted and supported. In the New Philippines, the Police want -- You are Safe!) (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)