Police files

Centcom has new chief

The new commander of the Central Command (Centcom) was installed in a simple ceremony yesterday led by General Emmanuel Bautista, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.

Major General John Bonafos replaced Lt. General Roy Deveraturda who was transferred as commander of Western Command (Wescom) based in Palawan.

Deveraturda was supposed to assume as commander of Wescom on Nov. 8 but this was postponed because of supertyphoon Yolanda.

Bonafos, the former commander of the Special Operations Command in Nueva Ecija, assured that he will continue the relief operations and rehabilitation program for the typhoon victims although the fight against insurgency will remain a priority. /Correspondent Chito O. Aragon

Gillamac denies reports of armed men

An official of the Cebu Provincial Police Office is asking the public not to panic in test messages that armed men on board pump boats are in Cebu to harass people and create trouble.

CCPO director Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac admitted he also received text messages that armed men were spotted in the waters off Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Medellin, Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan.

He immediately ordered to verify the reports and it turned out that these were hoax.

“I would like to appeal that if you receive text messages like this, please do not pass on to avoid creating fear and panic which add up to the misery of the typhoon victims,” Gillamac said.

He assured that the police are on top of the situation and are doing their best to maintain peace and order in the province./Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos