BACOLOD CITY — Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño officially assumed his post as the new director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, replacing Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay as part of the Philippine National Police’s regular reshuffling of officials.
The change-of-command ceremony took place at Camp Crame in Quezon City and was led by Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, acting deputy chief for administration, on behalf of PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Cardiño’s designation as acting director of PRO-NIR was among the latest changes involving senior PNP officials effective May 8, 2026.
Before his appointment to PRO-NIR, Cardiño served as deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership.
He also previously headed the Zambales Provincial Police Office.
Police Lt. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said the 54-year-old official belongs to the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1997.
The PNP activated PRO-NIR in 2025 as its 18th police regional office following the creation of the Negros Island Region, which covers Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
PRO-NIR, in a statement, said Cardiño’s assumption signals renewed energy and momentum for the regional office as it continues to intensify law enforcement operations against criminality, illegal drugs, loose firearms, wanted persons, and other threats to public safety.
The regional office also said it would strengthen intelligence-driven and proactive policing strategies.
Meanwhile, PRO-NIR thanked Ibay for his leadership and service during his yearlong stint with the regional office, which began in April 2025.
The office credited Ibay for strengthening police operations and advancing community-based policing programs in the region.
Ibay has been reassigned as deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Education and Training.
According to Malong, the reassignment forms part of the organization’s routine leadership changes aimed at sustaining peace and order efforts and improving police services in the region.
PRO-NIR vowed to sustain aggressive yet lawful operations through intensified intelligence-driven law enforcement, enhanced operational readiness, and swift, coordinated responses to criminal activity.
The regional office also vowed to strengthen collaboration with local government units, community leaders, and partner agencies to ensure a unified approach to addressing peace and order concerns.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Police Office also reshuffled two station commanders under an order from the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division dated May 7.
Relieved from their posts were Police Capt. Sherwin Galupar, head of Police Station 8, and Police Capt. Efren Legada, head of Police Station 1.
Galupar was replaced by Police Maj. Lyndon Manilla of the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section, while Legada’s post was assumed by Police Maj. Rondyl Tapang from the BCPO headquarters.
Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, BCPO director, reminded the newly designated station commanders to maintain discipline, uphold professionalism and integrity, strengthen police visibility, and continue providing responsive and quality public service to the people of Bacolod City.
The BCPO said the move was in line with the upcoming mandatory schooling of Legada and Galupar next month. (Glazyl Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)