Pasig cops have new commander

The Pasig City police has a new commander.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Uyami was installed yesterday as the city’s police chief by Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Charlemagne Alejandrino.

Uyami, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ‘82, replaced Senior Superintendent Romeo Abaring during turnover ceremonies at the Pasig City police headquarters at 9:30 a.m. yesterday.

Alejandrino said that Uyami, who is also a lawyer, should prioritize the city’s worsening drug problem. He also told Uyami to intensify the city’s anti-crime operations.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said he recommended Uyami to City Mayor Vicente Eusebio as the mayor wanted a police chief who was "not homegrown," or had no experience in Metro Manila.

Querol also asked Uyami to fight the illegal drugs trade and bring back the old glory of the Pasig City police.

Uyami is the former chief of police of Legazpi City in Albay and had been assigned in the Cordillera region.

Querol admitted that the image of the Pasig City police has suffered following the raid of the drug "tiangge" in Mapayapa Compound in Barangay Sto. Tomas last Feb. 16.

The raid prompted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao to sack EPD director Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela and Pasig City police chief Senior Superintendent Raul Medina.

Abaring, who took over Medina’s post, is now the EPD head for logistics.

Uyami’s last assignment was at the Directorate for Human Doctrine and Development in Camp Crame.