Another OIC-prov’l director for Pangasinan
LINGAYEN—Last week, Pangasinan received the assignment and designation of another Officer-in-Charge, provincial director at the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO), the 8th since 2012.
It was in the morning of January 8 when the PPPO received an order from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) relieving P/Senior Superintendent Rolie Saltat as officer-in-charge (OIC) and would be replaced by P/Sr. Superintendent Edgar Allan Okubo.
PPPO information officer, Supt. Ferdinand De Asis, said Okubo served as the head of the Intelligence Division at the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) in La Union before his new assignment in Pangasinan.
Okubo was named by the Metrobank Foundation as one of the country’s most outstanding police officers for 2013.
In his initial statement to the local media, Okubo said that in his more than 20 years as a police officer, his greatest motivation is to see PNP is respected by the community for its efficiency in crime solving and prevention and policing the country.
Meanwhile Saltat, according to De Asis, has been assigned at the Office of the Regional Director at PRO1.
“The move was part of the PNP policy where an OIC can only stay for about six months. Within six months, the OIC has to be confirmed as permanent provincial director, otherwise, he has to be replaced,” explained De Asis.
Saltat has already served his six-month tour of duty as PPPO-OIC head, which he assumed last June 5, 2015.
It will be recalled that when Saltat was appointed as OIC last year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had expressed its disappointment and disagreement over the continued irregular appointment of OIC-provincial director (PD) in the province.
Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. described the “rigodon of OICs” as “disturbing, senseless, and ridiculous.”
Saltat was preceded by P/Supt Michael Nicolas (2012), P/Sr. Supt Mariano Verzosa (2012), P/Sr. Supt Marlou Chan (2012-13), and P/Sr. Supt. Sterling Blanco (2014), P/Sr. Supt. Reynaldo Biay (2014-2015) and P/Sr. Supt. Belli Tamayo (May 11-June 5, 2015).
The last permanent police director in Pangasinan was P/Sr. Supt, Rosueto Ricaforte.
“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 then remarked.
Meanwhile, De Asis said some chiefs of police of towns in the province, mostly those who have completed their tour of duty, have been reshuffled as well.
The towns with new chiefs of police include Mangaldan, Villasis, Manaoag, Sual, San Fabian, Balungao, Malasiqui, and San Carlos City.
The enforcement of the gun ban has begun with the start of the election period last January 10 (until June 8).
“Expect more police checkpoints daily in every town,” said De Asis.
Among the “areas of concern” identified based on the assessment of the Comelec and PNP are Bayambang, Urbiztondo, San Carlos City, Infanta, Dagupan City, Bani, and Bolinao.
De Asis said the assessment was based on the recorded election-related violence in the 2007, 2010, and 2013 elections.
Pangasinan is the third most vote-rich province in the country with about three million population. (Johanne Macob)
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