New Region 8 top cop vows peaceful, fair 2016 polls

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PNA) - The newly appointed regional chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas vowed to work for peaceful and fair elections in the region.

During the assumption of command ceremony, Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said neutralizing private armies and lawless elements that would threat the 2016 polls is his top priority.

Villacorte, the new officer-in-charge of the PNP regional office, said they will coordinate with all stakeholders to step up security preparations for the upcoming polls.

“Elections is fast approaching, we want a peaceful and fair elections. Community partnership, improving our coordination with local government units, and working closely with government agencies is necessary in order for us to move forward in a faster pace,” Villacorte said.

“You will see more checkpoints, more proactive operations against private armies and those illegally carrying firearms,” Villacorte told reporters in a brief media interview.

He convened all top police regional officials and provincial police chiefs in a command conference immediately after his assumption at the regional headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.

Villacorte is formerly the deputy director for administration of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The Eastern Visayas police regional office was his first assignment in his police service in 1983.

The official replaced police deputy regional director for administration Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, who has been the officer-in-charge of the field office here since October after the dismissal of Sr. Supt. Asher Dolina.

Dolina and other 19 top police officials was dismissed for their involvement in the anomalous procurement of police rubber boats worth PHP4.54 million in 2009. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO & LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA