Romana vows to crack down on gambling dens, drug traffickers

SENIOR Supt. Noli Romana officially assumed his post yesterday as Cebu city police chief and vowed to crack down on illegal gambling and drugs.

“I am not here due to my vested interest. I am here as a public servant,” Romana said in his speech.

He thanked Mayor Michael Rama for not “throwing in the towel” in lobbying for his appointment.

Romana was welcomed by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and administration Cebu City Council allies who reminded him to show positive results and meet the public’s high expectations.

Labella reminded the new police chief to serve Cebu City residents.

He also reminded him about the city’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) pre-summit activities next week.

Romana took over the post vacated by Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. who transfers to the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).

Romana was installed by Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, new PRO-7 chief.

Earlier Romana came under fire from Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, former PRO-7 chief and now National Capitol Region (NCR) police chief for his failure to reduce gambling and drug activities in Negros Oriental, where he was formerly assigned.

Two of Romana’s men are under investigation for allegedly receiving bribes from gambling operators.

Romana, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) batch 1986 said he will make house to house visits and consult the people on peace and order.

Romana was publicly seen for the first time at Camp Sergio Osmeña during Constantino’s assumption as police regional chief.

He said he will also try to assign more policemen in every barangay.

Congratulating his successor, Natu-el said he walks out of the office “happy and with a sense of fulfillment.”

Later, Senior Supt. Ritchie Posadas of the Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) replaced Senior Supt. Addie Benigay as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Posadas was ordered by Constantino to go after wanted criminals and dismantle organized crime groups.

Constantino, who paid a courtesy call on Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, said the governor asked him to eliminate the drug trade in the province.

He said he won’t hesitate to go after police officers involved in drug trafficking and other crimes.

“We’ll be tough against our personnel especially those with involvement in illegal activities. If there is enough evidence against them, then we will prosecute,” he said. Correspondents Chito Aragon and Peter L. Romanillos