CHIEF Superintendent Cesar Binag, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, said on Friday the headquarters of PRO-Negros Island Region (NIR) located inside the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City will be used as a satellite office.
He said it was decided by the higher headquarters to utilize the building for such purpose.
Binag was in Bacolod City Friday, October 6, for the turnover of documents to him by Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, outgoing director of PRO-NIR, following the deactivation of the Negros Island Region headquarters on the same day.
He said personnel will be assigned at the office as overseer of transactions from Negros Occidental to PRO-Western Visayas.
Binag also said that all existing operations and administrative works will remain for smooth transition until everything is settled.
Two weeks ago, Senior Superintendents Rodolfo Castil, Nocppo director and Jack Wanky, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office, met with Binag in Iloilo City to brief him about the peace and order situation in the province.
During the turnover rites Friday, Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Alba from PRO-Western Visayas read an order signed by Director Edwin Roque, head of Directorate for Plans of Philippine National Police (PNP), by command of Director General Ronald de la Rosa, chief of PNP, to deactivate PRO-NIR effective October 6.
It was followed by the lowering and encasing of PRO-NIR flag and turn-over of property book of Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, acting director of PRO-NIR, to Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, head of Directorate for Operations, who also endorsed the same to Binag and Chief Superintendent Moises Mabanag, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-Central Visayas.
PRO-NIR started with an initial strength of 4,129 uniformed personnel and 330 non-uniformed personnel. It existed for 22 months and seven days.
Gonzales was awarded the PNP Special Service Medal (Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod) for his exceptional, meritorious, and invaluable service in a position of major responsibility as regional director of PRO-NIR from May 19 to October 6.
He has implemented policy strategies to strengthen the operation and administrative capabilities of PRO-NIR. He also established partnership with local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) to sustain and cope with the challenges in peacekeeping and law enforcement.
Gonzales also implemented various programs for effective crime prevention and solution with the active participation of the community which greatly contributed in maintenance of peace and order in the region.
Cascolan said Gonzales and the directorial staff should not worry about their assignments as they will be given priorities for higher positions in the national headquarters.
“The deactivation of PRO-NIR is just a milestone, something that we should always think of in the future,” Cascolan said, adding that its personnel will continue to serve the community.
“PRO-NIR will always be there and will live in our hearts and minds,” he said.
Cascolan also urged the policemen not to have low morale, and instead consider the development as another way of performing and boosting their morale.
“It’s not the end, it is always the beginning, as life and career go on,” he said. “Always think of something good about PRO-18 and be proud to say that you were once a member of PRO-NIR”
Chief Superintendent Leonardo Cesneros, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-NIR, recalled that all personnel have united as one island, force and law enforcement.
Cesneros said they have shared the same aspiration, enjoyed acting together towards peace and development, and learned to love the people they serve and protect.
He said the law enforcement of PRO-NIR became much stronger, effective, efficient, and more peaceful because of the unity and immediate administrative support and operations control of the police office.
The activity ended with the singing of the PNP hymn “Lingkod ng Bayan,” and boodle fight followed.