Roxas to NCRPO head: Fire more cop chiefs

DILG Secretary and Liberal Party frontrunner for 2016 Mar Roxas (Photo from Roxas’ official Facebook page)

MANILA — Let the axe fall, said Interior Secretary Mar Roxas last Thursday to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Roxas ordered the chief of NCRPO to fire police commanders who have failed to control and manage criminality in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“The leadership of the NCRPO has sent a strong signal to all chiefs of police and station commanders in Metro Manila that they will be relieved of their posts if they cannot … bring down crime incidents in their areas of responsibility,” the secretary said.

He acknowledged NCRPO Chief Director Carmelo Valmoria for relieving Caloocan City Police Chief Senior Supt. Bernard Tambaoan on August 14 for “certain deficiencies in administrative performance.” Likewise, Valmoria also sent Supt. Luis Francisco Jr. of the Manila Police District Station 1, for “his failure to reduce crime incidents in his area of responsibility,” said Roxas.

While erring police commanders can be relieved, personnel from the Philippine National Police who performed beyond the call of their duty will be rewarded.

For instance, Roxas mentioned PO2 Cesar Tolentino from the Caloocan City police. Last Sunday, Tolentino received a promotion on-the-spot “for his heroic act” during the shootout with motorcycle-riding men who robbed a gas station on Quirino Avenue in Quezon City.

Roxas also ordered Valmoria to add policemen to the following stations: Tondo in Manila, Batasan Hills in Quezon City, and some areas in Caloocan and Pasay cities.

“These areas were reported to have seen a rise in crime incidents, including homicide, theft and robbery,” he said.