QC has new police chief

MANILA, Philippines - Senior Superintendent Richard Albano yesterday took over as Quezon City’s new police chief, replacing Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega, who is set to retire next month.

Just before assuming the directorship of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Albano was deputy director of the PNP Retirement Benefits Administration Service.

Albano is from the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984. He is a mistah of Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, who currently holds the post of deputy director for administration of the QCPD.

Dela Vega, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February, will go on non-duty status.

Dela Vega held the helm of the QCPD for almost a year, assuming the post of district director in February 2012. He led the QCPD to its fifth “Best Police District” award last year.

It was also under Dela Vega’s leadership when the QCPD managed to arrest members of the Ozamis robbery gang.

He also instituted the deactivation of the headquarters mobile patrol unit and the downloading of its vehicles and personnel to the police stations, increasing police presence, visibility and mobility on the streets.

Albano vowed to continue programs ins­tituted by Dela Vega. “The system is working. We just have to enhance it,” he said.

Albano had been with the QCPD before, heading the then Central Police District’s Special Project Unit in 2003.

He was also once head of the Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Northern Police District.

Albano had also been head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 2.

He was also formerly the acting executive officer of the PNP Directorate for Logistics.