CHANGE OF COMMAND. Col. Jeffrey Fernandez, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Police Regional Office Deputy Director for Operations, hands over the Puerto Princesa City Police Office flag to new city director Col. Ronie Bacuel while Col. Roberto Bucad (second from right) looks on. Bacuel is a native of Agutaya, an island town of Palawan. (PNA photo by Genesis Medina)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – The new city police director, who is a native of this province, on Tuesday vowed to continue the programs of his predecessor, particularly on police visibility and active engagement with the community.
Col. Ronie Bacuel assumed post as Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) chief after a change of command ceremony held Monday afternoon at the PPCPO headquarters in Barangay San Pedro. He replaced Col. Roberto Bucad whose stint lasted one year and three months.
A native of Agutaya, a remote island town northeast of Puerto Princesa, Bacuel welcomed his new position, saying it is a great honor and privilege for him "to serve my kababayans (town mates)" as the city’s police chief.
“Thank you for the trust and confidence which will serve as my motivation to perform my tasks and duties. As I stand with you today, I assure you that we have the same goal of protecting the people of Puerto Princesa,” he said, addressing Mayor Lucilo Bayron who graced the occasion as the guest of honor.
Among the programs of the PPCPO which he plans to continue include maintaining police visibility and engagement with the different stakeholders in the community.
“Since we are a tourist destination, we will continue the program of police visibility and together with our Police Community Relations Office, we will also continue our direct meetings with our stakeholders so we can talk about their concerns,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bayron said with the new city police chief being a Palaweño, it will be easy for him to coordinate with the residents with regard to security matters.
“I can see that we will have no problem with our new city director because he is from here,” the mayor said.
Bayron also vowed to extend full support to the city police's operations as he announced more projects intended for the PPCPO. Considering the geography and size of the city, he said more police stations will be put up, particularly in far-flung barangays.
“We have allotted funds for the establishment of stations in Macarascas and San Rafael. After that, maybe next year we will also establish one in Luzviminda,” he added. (Genesis Medina/PNA)
