PARANG, Maguindanao -- The new police regional director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Friday vowed to work closely with Malacañang in pushing for the success of the Mindanao peace process.
Newly-installed Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares assumed the leadership of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the ARMM on Friday to replace his upperclassman, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, in a turnover ceremony presided over by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Gen. Ronald dela Rosa at Camp S. K. Pendatun here.
Sindac reached the mandatory retirement age of 56. He belongs to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1984, served in the Philippine Army and the defunct Philippine Constabulary before transferring to the PNP.
Mijares belongs to PMA Class 1986. He lauded the support extended by Sindac during his stint as PRO-ARMM police director even as he vowed to support the government peace process in Mindanao.
Speaking as he assumed office, Mijares was saddened by the turn of events in his birthplace of Marawi City that killed government forces, civilians and terrorists.
“I was born in Marawi City, raised in Mindanao, so how can I not support the Mindanao peace process? I love peace. I want peace in my homeland,” Mijares said.
Dela Rosa, in the same ceremony, cited Sindac for the successful police campaign in ARMM against illegal drug personalities and his role in the resolution of armed hostilities in Marawi City.
Dela Rosa awarded Sindac with three citation medals for his accomplishments as regional director in one of the country’s conflict-affected regions.
For his part, Sindac expressed confidence that Mijares can do the job more than he did being a Mindanaoan.
“He speaks well of the socio-economic, political and religious dimensions, and intricacies of the southern communities. I know he will make good,” Sindac said of Mijares. (PNA)
