Col. Romeo Baleros has stepped down from his post as director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) to mark his retirement after 31 years in the police service.
On June 6, Baleros, who headed the NOCPPO for one and a half years, will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“I thank you all for sharing this journey with me. Thank you for believing in me, and I thank the Almighty for allowing me to be his vessel in leading the NOCPPO. The honor, pleasure, and privilege are mine. This has been a wonderful 18 months with the NOCPPO,” Baleros said in his address during the retirement honors and turn-over of command ceremony held at the parade grounds of the Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. here on Thursday afternoon.
He turned over his post to Col. Romy Palgue, who took over the helm of the provincial police office as officer-in-charge.
In his speech, Baleros acknowledged the support of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and of the city and municipal mayors during his stint in the province, which started during the last term of former governor Alfredo Marañon III.
Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 (Western Visayas), said it is just fitting to give honors to Baleros as he concludes his 31 years of service as a police officer.
“This is our way of thanking Romy for his 31 years in the service to include (his) cadetship. I know that you are confident to leave the service because I know you did everything you could to deliver true service to the PNP,” he added.
Pamuspusan said police officers should always be open to embrace change, whether in leadership, unit assignments, or in administrative and operational guidelines and directives, which can serve as an opportunity to render faithful service to the people.
“To Police Col. Romeo Baleros, my congratulations for a job well done here in the province of Negros Occidental. Your more than a year’s stint as provincial director has proven your excellent and satisfactory performance,” he added.
Pamuspusan awarded Baleros the Medalya nang Paglilingkod (Service Medal) and Medalya ng Kasanayan (Efficiency Medal) in recognition of his service to the PNP.
Meanwhile, Palgue, who belongs to the PNP Academy Class 1997, was with the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development before he was assigned to Negros Occidental.
He was also previously deputy director of the Butuan City Police Office. (Nanette Guadalquiver ndb via pna)