Bataoil to NPD cops: Turn night into day

Newly installed National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil yesterday told Northern Police District police officers to double their effort in fight against criminality by “turning night into day.”

“Like what our chief PNP (Director General Jesus Verzosa) said, ‘hit the road running’ and turn night into day in your fight against criminality,” Bataoil told the NPD police officers headed by Chief Superintendent Eric Javier. By saying “turning night into day,” Bataoil was referring to the strengthening of the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (Camanava) “night watch patrol,” which he pioneered during his term as NPD director.

Bataoil, former chief of the PNP-Police Community Relations Office, was formally installed as new head of the NCRPO yesterday morning in lieu of Director Jefferson Soriano, who was promoted as chief of the PNP directorial staff. “I have only 11 months in office, and I would like to finish my job as NCRPO chief with flying colors,” Bataoil said. He is supposed to retire on Oct. 22, next year.

After his formal installment as the new Metro Manila police chief, Bataoil immediately proceeded to the NPD Headquarters in Caloocan City but made a stop at the Quezon City police office. “He was literally hijacked in Quezon City by his former classmate Chief Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula,” Soriano, who accompanied Bataoil to NPD, said in jest.

Bataoil is a Philippine Military Academy Class ’76—Magilas—graduate and served as PNP spokesman before he was assigned as NPD director in 2006. He was later promoted regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO-1) before becoming PNP-PCR head and now NCRPO chief.

During his visit at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday at the NPD, Bataoil was met by several of his scholars including the wife of slain tabloid reporter Roberto Orsolino.

Bataoil assured Metro Manila residents that he would pursue plans and programs of the PNP “with stronger resolve by bringing the police where they matter most.”