ILOILO City – Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has begun cracking down on underperforming station commanders, booting chiefs of police in Iloilo Province who fell short of leadership standards, even as it sustains its five-minute response time against crime.
PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan confirmed that chiefs in Janiuay and Pavia were relieved after surprise inspections revealed poor supervision.
“Sad to note that the leadership of that station is not very good. That’s why I ordered the relief of that chief of police. His supervision skills are not that good so we have to replace him,” Ligan said, referring to his Sept. 2 inspection in Janiuay.
Police Captain Hector Ayagan was replaced by Police Captain Marlon Perez in Janiuay, while Police Major Jose Nemias Pamplona was relieved in Pavia and succeeded by Police Captain Rits Field Presquito. Both have been reassigned to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) headquarters.
Ligan clarified that the reliefs were for internal discipline and had nothing to do with the assumption of Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as new Philippine National Police chief.
“No revamping. What we will continue is the five-minute response time policy. In fact, we are sustaining it through daily simulation exercises and drills,” he stressed.
To prove the policy works, Ligan himself played a robbery suspect in a drill in Iloilo City.
“Ako mismo yung suspect. Tumakbo ako, itinawag sa radyo, nag-setup sila ng dragnet. At nahuli naman ako,” he said, praising the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) for effective chokepoints near Gaisano Capital in Mandurriao district.
Still, he admitted more simulations are needed since the five-minute rule is not always met.
“Maganda yung pag-establish ng dragnet ng ICPO,” he added.
Ligan vowed that while no sweeping reshuffle will occur in Western Visayas, strict internal accountability will continue to ensure rapid response and stronger anti-crime measures across the region./PN
