With the imminent transfer of PCol. Leo Pamittan following the completion of his two-year tour of duty, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson wants a non-Negrense provincial police director for Negros Occidental.
Lacson however said “there is no rush for his end of tenure,” adding that the Philippine National Police headquarters have to prepare for his next assignment.
He admitted that there are two senior police officials who have expressed interest in the position to be vacated by PCol. Pamittan.
What is important for him, Lacson said it is that they will be recommended by the PNP.
Asked what qualities should he want from the successor of Pamittan, Lacson said said he wants someone who “is dedicated to the police service,” aside from having the experience to become a provincial police director.
“Somebody who does not favor anyone, should be fair to all police officers in Negros, not biased to anyone, to remain apolitical, and should not take sides, especially in times of elections,” the governor further said.
That’s basically who we had with the past three provincial police directors under my watch, Lacson added.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, under the leadership of Pamittan, was adjudged as the 2023 best provincial police office nationwide, a similar award also received by his two predecessors, in the regional level.
“Being awarded as the best PPO nationwide, it tells the story about how they performed. We can’t ask for more,” Lacson earlier said, when asked for his assessment of the performance of NOCPPO.
In fact, this will be the challenge for the next provincial police director, who must equal, or even surpass that, he stressed.
(Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy by TVDS)
