Capa: “We will make Cebu number one”

CEBU, Philippines - Sr. Supt. Conrad Capa may not have liked his new assignment in Central Visayas, for he believes that being the captor of one of the most wanted persons in the country he deserves to be promoted to flag rank, but this does not give him enough reason to lie low and not to give his best while in Cebu.

Despite admitting he was hurt by the decision of Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima, Capa vowed to make Cebu "number one" as he formally take on his new post as deputy director for operations of Police Regional Office-7.

"I deserve a promotion, masisisi mo ba ako kung magtampo ako," he said.

Capa arrived past 11 a.m. yesterday at the PRO-7 headquarters. He went directly to regional director Danilo Constantino, who welcomed him to Cebu.

"I love Cebu, I love the people, I'm looking forward (to) working in Cebu, we will make Cebu number one," were Capa's opening words to members of the media waiting for his arrival at the police headquarters.

But, Capa started to pour out what he really feels of his new assignment when asked to comment about the statement from the national headquarters that his assignment to PRO-7 is actually a promotion for him.

"I'm just number three, make no mistake about it, di naman ako promoted," said Capa.

He hopes that he will not "stay longer" in Cebu. "I'd like to stay long, wag naman sana longer, kawawa naman ako," he added.

Capa's reassignment to Central Visayas came two weeks after the arrest of property developer Delfin Lee, one of the top 5 most wanted personalities in the country. Capa was former chief of PNP Task Force Tugis whose operatives arrested Lee based on the warrant of arrest for syndicated estafa. 

He admitted expecting a promotion after the operation, but to his surprise, he received a memorandum relieving him as task force commander and directing him to report to PRO-7.

Capa replaced Sr. Supt. Orlando Ualat who was named deputy regional director for administration. According to Capa, he will not be having a hard time working under Constantino because they used to be working together in regions 3, 4, 6, and the Criminal Investigation Detection Group since year 2000.

Constantino said Capa would be a big asset to PRO-7 as he knew him to be a hardworking officer.

 "He is a hardworking officer and I know how he works," Constantino said.Constantino recalled how Capa headed the investigation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) bombing on December 30, 2000 killing at least 22 people.

As deputy director for operations, Constantino said he expects Capa to supervise anti-criminality activities in provincial and city offices and see to it that the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) is implemented. — (FREEMAN)