With PNP List, Rama to Choose New City Police Chief

The Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame has finally granted the wish of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to have Senior Superintendent Noli Romana as the next director of the Cebu City Police Office.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. had already sent a list of five eligible police officials to the mayor’s office that includes the name of Romana, the incumbent director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office.

Garbo said Romana will most likely assume as city police director since he is Mayor Michael Rama’s bet.

Section 63 of the Republic Act 8551 or The New Police Act of 1998 provides that the mayor has the right to choose his police chief from the list of at least five eligible police officials to be recommended to him by the police director.

Although the mayor had already received the letter from Garbo recommending five senior police officials to head the CCPO, the mayor has yet to announce his choice.

“Sige lang ako usa nga tan-awon kay at least makakita na ko nga anaa na ko’y kapilian, kalami ana kay sa dugay kaayo ko nga papilion,” he said. (At least they have now given me a list of choices.)

Rama has been eyeing Romana to be his police chief because the latter was recommended to him by then CCPO director Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Aside from Romana, the other police officers included in the list were Senior Superintendents Mariano Natu-el Jr, the current CCPO director; Marciano Batiancila, chief of the Regional Headquarters and Services Group; Erson Digal, current chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division, and Valenzuela City Police director Roderick Armamento.

Garbo, however, said he is not satisfied with the performance of Romana at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) in terms of anti-illegal gambling operations.

According to Garbo there are still lots of illegal gambling in Negros Oriental. Two of Romana’s subordinates SPO1 Somaza Vilan and SPO2 Edwin Pineda, were allegedly involved as protectors of illegal gambling operations in Negros Oriental, and are undergoing investigation.

But Romana explained that the all-out-war against illegal gambling requires much participation from the community. “but then siguro, maganda na rin na na-exprience ko iyon. Now I see our objectives and the campaign in a better perspective. I wish I will be given more chance.” Romana said.