New Ilocos cop chief: Still a guessing game

DAGUPAN CITY — Up to now, it is still a guessing game as to who will replace Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera, who is retiring this Wednesday, as Ilocos (Region 1) police director.

The wait continues as the turnover ceremony slated today has been postponed indefinitely.

As of yesterday, sources said the selection had been trimmed down from four to two — Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr., Central Police District (Quezon City) police chief, and Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, Northern Police District police chief.

The two other aspirants were Chief Superintendents Wilfredo Dulay Sr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) legal service, and Jefferson Soriano, Cagayan Valley police director.

Bataoil reportedly has the support of top politicians in the region, having served as Pangasinan police director and PNP spokesman during the term of retired PNP chief Arturo Lomibao.

For his part, Radovan reportedly enjoys the backing of PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

Until somebody is named, Senior Superintendent Nicano Casaclang, deputy regional director for administration, will serve as officer-in-charge.