ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. picked Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, a native of Passi City, as the new Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director.
But with the formal announcement from the Philippine National Police (PNP) still not forthcoming, the governor defended his choice.
The three nominees for the post were vetted by Camp Crame itself, which meant that any of them would be a viable IPPO director, said Defensor.
“Puede sila ma-appoint. Amo na dira ang aton ginasandigan,” said Defensor.
The two other nominees were Police Colonel Noel Aliño, who currently heads the IPPO in an acting capacity, and Police Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda, former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 6.
Defensor said he examined their educational attainment, background and accomplishments, and something about Palomo’s education stood out.
“As much as possible, indi ko gusto ihambal kon ano ang diperensyahanay nila. Indi ni sila mag-layo, pero may mga konsiderasyon man kita nga ginatan-aw. Sa educational attainment nga ginatan-aw naton makabulig man sa execution sang ila nga tr abaho diri sa aton sa probinsya,” Defensor said.
The governor also clarified that he is not against Aliño as an acting IPPO director since October 2022, except that the process has given him alternatives for a full-fledged IPPO director.
“Wala, we have nothing against the good colonel diri sa aton,” Defensor briefly answered when asked if there were external forces or individuals who requested that Aliño remain seated.
As to the alleged case Palomo is facing, Defensor said he was unaware it.
On Feb. 13, Defensor submitted Palomo’s name to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
According to the PRO-6, they forwarded Palomo’s name to the PNP national headquarters for confirmation, and as of this writing, no appointment papers for Palomo have been sent.
Defensor said he does not want to speculate about Palomo’s appointment, adding that all of the governor’s picks for the IPPO directorship since 2019 were all appointed by the PNP.
“Indi ko gusto pangunahan ang aton PNP because I was made to understand that my shortlist, you choose in the shortlist, and the choice will be appointed,” said Defensor.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 94-009 (guidelines on the designation of police provincial directors and other chiefs of police), an incumbent provincial police director or city/municipal chief of police may be removed, transferred or re-assigned without the prior approval of the governor or mayor.
The police regional director shall submit in writing to the provincial government the names of three eligibles, from whom the latter shall choose within 10 days from receipt of such a list, the provincial director to be designated./PN
Captions
DEFENSOR
PALOMO
