DUMAGUETE CITY – Negros Oriental will receive additional troops as part of region-wide policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Sr. Supt. Edwin Portento, acting provincial police director, disclosed Wednesday afternoon that other provinces in Central Visayas or Region 7 are already implementing this PNP policy.
Among this is the balance in the distribution of police personnel, that requires re-shuffling or re-assignment of police officers to positions that are suitable for their ranks, he said.
Portento said additional officers will be sent here as part of the region-wide move.
He explained that the PNP is looking not only “after Dumaguete, but the entire province of Negros Oriental as far as the deployment of officers and non-commissioned officers”.
Portento said if he will have difficulty in the deployment, then the PNP Regional Office 7 will have to do it.
Portento was referring to the recent movement among police chiefs in Negros Oriental, including that in Dumaguete where the transfer of the previous police chief was met with heavy criticism from the city mayor and some city councilors.
The city officials had expressed disappointment over the relief of the former police chief Supt. Jovito Atanacio, who was replaced by Supt. Jonathan Pineda.
They noted that Portento did not give prior notice that Pineda would assume the post last Nov. 6, but the former said that Atanacio’s transfer was imminent.
Portento expressed hope that the problem has been resolved, pointing out that the city officials are “professional enough” to understand that a decision has to be made.
Portento was referring to Atanacio’s “overstaying” in his post, having extended his regular tour of duty of two years by about three more months until his relief.
Portento is hoping that the misunderstanding that transpired is finally over so that they can move on, including support of the city council to the new police chief because “constituents of Dumaguete City are relying on the support of the city council through him”.
The city council had earlier announced it would withhold the budget allocation for the city police station unless Atanacio’s relief has been ironed out. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
