Pangasinan wants regular police chief

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Amado Espino Jr. on Monday reiterated his call for the Philippine National Police to assign a regular provincial police director in Pangasinan to address the rising crime incidents here.

“We have written the PNP chief about this, but we have not received any answer so far,” said Espino.

Since 2012, four officer in charge (OIC) provincial police directors have been assigned in succession to Pangasinan. A regular police director should have at least a two-year term in his or her assignment, the PNP said.

On Monday, the province’s fourth OIC police director, Senior Supt. Belli Tamayo, appeared at the provincial board’s session here to present his plans and programs for the province. Tamayo replaced Senior Supt. Reynaldo Biay, who assumed as OIC police director in May 2014.

During the session, Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. asked Tamayo how long he would stay as OIC in the province, but the officer said he did not know.

“That’s the problem with OICs because they have limitations. They cannot even plan well because they do not know when they will be relieved,” said Espino.

He said the police should focus on solving the illegal drugs problem and cases of burglary in schools in the province.

Tamayo said the police-to-population ratio in Pangasinan is one policeman for every 1,279 people, below the ideal one policeman for every 500 people.

“My other limitation is that I cannot transfer personnel from one unit to another without clearance from the regional police office,” Tamayo said.

He said there were four applicants, including him, for the provincial director position in the province. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon