Council wants Razon to be next PNP chief

The Cebu City Council has strongly endorsed to President Arroyo the appointment of Police Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. to be the next chief of the Philippine National Police when PNP chief Oscar Calderon retires from active service by October as he turns 56.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama had stepped down from his seat as presiding officer of the City Council so he could deliver his three-page speech during the Council’s regular session yesterday.

He described Razon as “most qualified” to head the PNP among other aspirants because of his outstanding record and dedication to the service of God and country since his days as a young lieutenant of the Philippine Constabulary after he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1974.

Razon, now the deputy chief of the PNP, was assigned in Cebu in 2001 to 2002 as police regional director for Central Visayas. He implemented many infrastructure projects such as the construction of police buildings even without financial budgets from Camp Crame.

It was during his stint that the Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr., the police regional headquarters in Central Visayas, was greatly improved which earned the admiration of all 5,000 policemen in the region.

One time, Razon disclosed to this reporter that several officials of the national government had helped realize his projects by granting financial assistance, most especially in improving the regional headquarters.

If President Arroyo would choose Razon as the next PNP chief, Rama believes that Razon could implement many changes in the organization before he would retire on September 27, 2008.

“The City Council and the people of Cebu can only be most proud and grateful if Razon would be appointed to the top position in the PNP,” the vice mayor, who also heads the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, said. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV