PRO-7 chief headed for Camp Crame

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, chief  of the Central Visayas police,  is expecting to handle new duties in Camp Crame after the New Year.

He said he may be relieved next week as Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 chief as part of a reorganization  by newly installed PNP Chief Alan Purisima to fill vacant positions in the national  headquarters.

Garbo said the change had nothing to do with the current political impasse at the Cebu Capitol, where his men filed direct assault charges against the son of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and he was in turn charged with robbery for having three tents removed from the premises where Garcia supporters were gathering.

Under his watch, Garbo said, the crime rate in Central Visayas went down and policemen were more efficient.

He also led the creation of the tourist police and the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS), a program that makes police more visible.

In Cebu City, the city’s police chief Ramon Buenafe confirmed that he will be  reassigned to the directorate for operations in Camp Crame.

Buenafe thanked Cebuanos for supporting him.

He said peacekeeping duties  in two Sinulog celebrations and the Nov. 30 national thanksgiving Mass for San Pedro Calungsod at the South Road Properties were highlights of his stint in Cebu.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el will assume as acting police chief.  /CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON