Garcia: Ontog's leaving a loss

CEBU, Philippines - The promotion of Police Regional Office-7 director Ager Ontog is a loss to all of Central Visayas, so said Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“He has been very hardworking and very cooperative with the province especially in our campaign against all forms of criminality like illegal fishing and illegal drugs,” Garcia said.

Chief Supt. Ontog will be leaving his post as PRO-7 director. A formal turnover ceremony will be held on Friday.

Garcia said there have been clamors from many sectors to have former Cebu Provincial Police Office director Carmelo Valmoria, who is now at Camp Crame, to sit as the new PRO-7 director.

“Having seen the professionalism and the principled performance of General Valmoria. We hope that he may be considered. We would be very, very elated if Camp Crame would consider Valmoria for the PRO-7 post,” Garcia said.

An inside source said Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo will take over Ontog’s post.

Garbo, who was previously assigned as Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO-7 during the stint of former PRO-7 director Ronald Roderos, is executive officer of the directorate for operations.

In August 14, 2010, Ontog replaced Chief Supt. Lani-o Nerez as PRO-7 director. The source further said Ontog will assume a post in Camp Crame.

Garbo is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1981. His classmates included Valmoria and Chief Supt. Vicente Loot, who is currently Deputy Regional Director for Administration in PRO-8 (Eastern Visayas). – (FREEMAN)