Albayalde to grace turnover of command at Bicol police

LEGAZPI CITY – It is all systems go for the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol turnover of command ceremony for the unit’s new chief on Saturday as PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde is expected to grace the event as guest of honor.

However, as Chief Supt. Antonio Gardiola, Bicol police director, bows out after reaching the mandatory retirement age, there is still no designated police officer to take his place as of press time.

Following the usual turnover procedure with the absence of a designated police officer to take over, the standard practice would be for the incumbent police assistant regional director to temporarily assume as the acting PNP regional director, said Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Calubaquib, in a text message, said there were two aspirants to replace Gardiola as Bicol police chief. They are Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco and Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal.

Rasco is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala” class of 1986 while Escobal is PMA “Hinirang” class of 1987 graduate, a lawyer and the chief of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Bicol.

At the turnover of command, Albayalde will also be awarding “Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod” to police personnel in Bicol.