New Lapu police chief assumes post

SENIOR Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas assumed his post as the officer-in-charge of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office yesterday in a simple turnover ceremony.

Lawas replaced Senior Supt. Anthony Obenza who was transferred to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 headquarters.

Lawas is also the concurrent chief of the Regional Intelligence Division.

After a briefing with Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, Lawas paid a courtesy call on Mayor Paz Radaza.

Mayor Radaza instructed him to increase police visibility in Lapu-Lapu City to deter crimes.

The new police chief was also told to establish rapport with the community and enforce environmental laws as Lapu-Lapu City relies on the tourism industry for its economy.

“My primary focus will be to continue public awareness, promote police activities, deliver basic services and sustain good practices. I also identified some weaknesses that the police needs to improve on,” Lawas told Cebu Daily News.

Lawas was appointed OIC of the city police because the PRO 7 has yet to come up with a list of officers to recommend as replacements of Obenza.

The mayor lobbied for Obenza’s relief.

Once the Regional Officers’ Placement Board has the list of names, it will be submitted to Camp Crame for the National Officers’ Placement Board to finalize.

Then it will be sent to Mayor Radaza through PRO 7 so she can choose the next Lapu-Lapu police chief from the list. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA