“I will be strict, but a disciplinarian with a heart.”

This was how P/Colonel Ronald V. Gayo, described what the provincial government can expect of him as newly designated acting police provincial director of Pangasinan when he joined the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in their virtual session last December 14.

Gayo, a native of Laoac town but earned his spurs as a young police officer in Cagayan, said it is his pride and honor to serve his province mates but admitted that the challenge is quite daunting, and would need the support of the men and women under his command.

He scotched speculations that there will be a reshuffle in the ranks of police chiefs but said he will do his own evaluation of the performance of the police chiefs to see if changes are necessary.

Asked by Second District Board Member Nestor Reyes about his top agenda, Gayo cited the war on drugs, anti-criminality, insurgency, illegal gambling and the fight against COVID-19, because these are aligned with the programs of the chief PNP.

Gayo said the border control points (BCP) set up by his predecessor, P/Col. Redrico Maranan, will be strengthened by assigning a police lieutenant to lead each BCP for more effective control over the entry of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) without travel authority and medical certificate issued by rural health units.

On the concern of Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario that the health and safety protocols are not strictly observed in some areas, Gayo said the police will seek to strictly enforce the two protocols and local ordinances to support these.

Informed by Sixth District Board Member Noel Bince that some towns have adopted different protocols in accepting LSIs, Gayo replied he will follow the protocols set by the provincial IATF headed by Governor Amado Espino III.

To further boost his anti-criminality campaign, he will assign 85 percent of the police manpower to the streets and retain only 15 percent in the office to render administrative duties, and police operations will be intelligence-driven to ensure that no subject person will be targeted if he or she has not committed any wrongdoing.

On the recent Mangatarem clash between the military and a band of New People’s Army terrorists, Gayo assured Second District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza that a continuing validation in the area confirms that the threat has already been nipped in the bud.

Sixth District Board Member Salvador Perez Jr. urged Gayo to take action against activities in towns, i.e., food bazaars and tiangge, that promote violation of social/physical distancing.

After the session, the board members, including Vice Governor Mark Lambino, extended their warm welcome to Col. Gayo. (Leonardo Micua)

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