Gov’s request heeded as new police chief named

BACOLOD CITY—The Negros Occidental police force has a new caretaker after its acting director was relieved from his post upon the request of Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz took over as Negros Occidental police caretaker on Friday and assured Maranon of police neutrality in politics.

“We will be fair to everybody,” said De la Paz. He also warned police in the province against involvement in partisan politics.

De la Paz replaced Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, who came under fire from Maranon after the killing of a supporter of the governor in Escalante City.

Guara blamed the killing on the New People’s Army, saying it had nothing to do with politics, which angered Maranon.

Maranon also took offense when the chief of police of Pulupandan town and his men accompanied Mayor Magdaleno Peña to the capitol to challenge Maranon’s chief of staff to a fistfight.

Guara, who served as caretaker for only three months, denied the governor’s allegations.

Before his designation as caretaker, De la Paz became police chief of Cadiz, Kabankalan, Silay, San Carlos and Bacolod. He is also the former police chief of Iloilo.