SP expresses disgust over OIC-PDs “rigodon”
LINGAYEN—The relations between the provincial government and the Philippine National Police has reached an all-time low after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) expressed its disappointment and disgust over the current policy of the Philippine National Police in designating officer-in-charge (OIC) – provincial director (PD) of the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO).
The collective sentiment was expressed after receiving confirmation that another OIC-PD last June 6, P/Sr. Superintendent Rolly Saltat was appointed vice P/Sr. Superintendent Belli Tamayo, who only served for three weeks.
Senior Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. stood to deliver a privilege speech during the June 8 regular session, expressing his personal and “collective sentiment” of the Board “on the disturbing, senseless, and ridiculous pattern of appointing OICs provincial director for Pangasinan.”
He cited the eight appointees made during the term of Governor Amado Espino Jr., from 2010 up to the present, namely P/Sr. Superintendents Rosueto Ricaforte, Michael Nicolas, Mariano Luis Versoza, Marlou Chan, Sterling Raymond Blanco, Reynaldo Biay, Tamayo, and finally Saltat.
“This unhealthy practice is dizzying. This rigodon of OICs is ridiculous and absurd,” he stressed.
No permanent PD was ever installed that Pangasinan is the third most populous province in the country with its three million population.
“… this rigodon of OICs does not speak well of the leadership of DILG and NAPOLCOM,” Mr. Bince intoned. “This practice dilutes and prostitutes the provisions of the police act which empowers a provincial governor to select a regular PNP director who will serve for two years,” he added.
Mr. Bince said designating mere OIC-PDs “is unfair not only to the people of Pangasinan…and to the designated OIC.”
He said the board is no longer interested to listen to any action plan of the new OIC-PD knowing “it may not be implemented, after all.” Tamayo earlier outlined to the board his plan of action to combat illegal drugs.
“We will no longer invite OICs to our SP because it’s a useless practice,” he said.
Instead, Mr. Bince said the board will collaborate only with town chiefs of police in supporting peace and order campaigns in the province.
He also recommended that instead of constantly designating an OIC from outside, the second in rank at the PNP Pangasinan should be designated as OIC instead since the second in rank can be expected to pick up from where the withdrawn OIC left off. (Johanne Macob)
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