ILOILO — The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has justified the swift replacement of the officer temporarily assigned to the Pavia Municipal Police Station (MPS), stressing that one of Iloilo’s busiest and most crime-challenged municipalities requires a highly competent police chief with strong investigative skills.
IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan said the decision to install Police Major Bonifacio Alabe Jr. as officer-in-charge was based on the municipality’s complex peace and order concerns and the need for a police leader capable of handling major investigations and high-profile cases.
“We know for a fact that Pavia is a first-class municipality. It contributes significantly to the province’s crime incidents, and there have been several sensational cases that happened there. That is why we need to put the right officer in Pavia,” Razalan said.
The statement came amid persistent questions over the relief of Police Major Bryan Alamo, who served as temporary caretaker of the station for only five days before being reassigned.
Razalan clarified that Alamo’s transfer was not related to performance issues but was part of standard organizational policies. He explained that Alamo had already exceeded the allowable cumulative six-year tour of duty as a chief of police in Western Visayas and is being considered for other assignments and possible promotion.
The IPPO chief said the provincial police office carefully screened candidates for the post and submitted five recommended officers to Pavia Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta, who eventually selected Alabe as the new officer-in-charge.
Razalan emphasized that investigative competence was a key factor in the selection process because of Pavia’s strategic location near Iloilo City and the volume of incidents reported in the municipality.
“What I want for Pavia is a good investigator. Because of its proximity to Iloilo City, many incidents happen there. We need a competent police officer, especially in investigations,” he said.
Alamo assumed temporary command of the station on May 22 following the relief of former officer-in-charge Police Captain Ritz Field Presquito. However, he was relieved on May 27, prompting Mayor Gorriceta to seek his retention.
According to Razalan, Alamo was aware from the outset that his assignment was temporary while the provincial police leadership evaluated candidates for the permanent post.
“When he came to my office, we talked about it. He already expected that his assignment at Pavia MPS would only be temporary,” Razalan said.
Police Major Bonifacio Alabe Jr. formally took over the leadership of the Pavia MPS on May 30 as the IPPO seeks to strengthen law enforcement operations and criminal investigations in one of Iloilo Province’s fastest-growing municipalities./PN
