BACOLOD City — Seven police stations in Bacolod City have been placed under new leadership following a series of reassignments within the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), as authorities intensify their campaign against illegal drugs amid growing concerns over the involvement of students in the drug trade.
A turnover ceremony for the newly designated officers-in-charge (OICs) was held on June 23, according to BCPO Director Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia.
The newly assigned station commanders are Major Eugene Tolentino (Police Station 1), Lieutenant Conan Gadayan (Police Station 2), Lieutenant Benjo Ballo-Allo (Police Station 3), Captain Andy Ofalia (Police Station 5), Major Rondyl Tapang (Police Station 8), Captain Greeky Cayao (Police Station 9), and Lieutenant Rowena Jean Magan (Police Station 10).
Meanwhile, Major Marc Joeil Reclamado, Captain Peter John Ramos, and Captain Jay-R Reyes will continue serving as station commanders of Police Stations 4, 6, and 7, respectively.
Rebadomia said the reassignment was necessary as the relieved station commanders are set to undergo mandatory schooling and professional training.
Despite the leadership changes, the city police director emphasized that the BCPO’s operational priorities remain unchanged, particularly its intensified crackdown on illegal drugs and sustained efforts to curb theft and robbery incidents across the city.
During a press conference on June 24 at the BCPO headquarters, Rebadomia said the police office continues to record significant drug seizures through its anti-illegal drug operations, recovering an average of nearly half a kilogram of suspected shabu each week.
Police records showed that from June 15 to 21, authorities conducted 13 buy-bust operations that resulted in the arrest of 15 drug suspects.
Confiscated during the operations were approximately 675.5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of more than P4.5 million.
According to Rebadomia, the continued seizure of illegal drugs reflects law enforcement’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal drug trade in Bacolod.
The city police chief also expressed concern over the increasing number of students being linked to illegal drug activities.
He said a significant number of individuals arrested in recent anti-drug operations were students found in possession of suspected shabu.
Rebadomia noted that drug syndicates may be exploiting students to avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement authorities.
“Many of those arrested are newly identified individuals,” Rebadomia said, adding that police remain concerned about drug personalities who have yet to be apprehended and may still be actively engaged in illegal drug operations.
Alongside its enforcement efforts, the BCPO is strengthening its preventive initiatives through information and education campaigns in schools.
Rebadomia said police personnel continue to conduct symposiums and awareness drives in educational institutions to educate students about the dangers of illegal drugs and their long-term impact on their lives and future.
The BCPO vowed to sustain its aggressive anti-drug campaign while working closely with schools, communities, and other stakeholders to prevent more young people from being drawn into illegal drug activities./PN
