Buenafe out of CCPO; Natuel is OIC

CEBU, Philippines - Effective last December 26, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Melvin  Ramon Buenafe left his post and is now assigned in Camp Crame.

“We received a memorandum na relieved na si Sr. Supt. Buenafe because of his more than two years stint as director of CCPO,” said Buenafe’s superior, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Marcelo Garbo, Jr.

Garbo said he assigned Regional Logistics Division head Mariano Natuel as CCPO’s officer-in-charge until the Selection and Placement Board in Camp Crame resolves who shall permanently replace Buenafe.

This is because, Garbo said, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama recently made his choice to have Sr. Supt. Noli Romana take over Buenafe’s post.

Romana is currently chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 12.

“We forwarded a letter to Camp Crame to resolve this. Pending this, Natuel will serve as the OIC of CCPO,” said Garbo.

As far as Buenafe’s performance is concerned, Garbo said the former CCPO director has proven himself to be a good police official.

“Na-prove na niya na magaling siya. Dalawang Sinulog celebration at Calungsod (National Thanksgiving Day) ang kaniyang na-manage,” the PRO 7 director said. (He has proven his kills by supervising two Sinulog celebrations and the Calungsod thanksgiving.)

These events gathered millions of people nationwide and were popular even at the international scene.

Buenafe, in a separate interview, said he will be assigned with the Public Safety Division in Camp Crame. He is currently on leave while he also prepares for his new office.

The former CCPO director will return to Cebu today and will deliver some parting statements in a press conference at CCPO today.

In August 2010, Buenafe, who then headed PRO 7’s Regional Intelligence Division, assumed as CCPO director, replacing Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr. who now heads the Cebu Provincial Police Office. (FREEMAN)