Bataoil is new Ilocos PNP chief

CAMP GEN. OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union — Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil was installed yesterday as the new Ilocos police director by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

Bataoil replaced Senior Superintendent Nicanor Casaclang, the officer-in-charge who took over the position from Chief Superintendent Alfredo De Vera Jr., former Ilocos police chief, who retired last Sept.18.

Bataoil announced during the turnover of command here that his top priority is the implementation of the PNP’s housing program.

"The PNP’s housing program will be given priority here in Region 1," Bataoil said, adding that he will adopt some of the programs he implemented in preventing various crimes during his eight-month tenure at the NPD.

Bataoil, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Magilas Class 1976 and a native of Lingayen, Pangasinan, said he will also pursue the strategic direction of the PNP’s anti-crime effort.

Prior to his appointment as Ilocos police director, Bataoil was the NPD director. He also served as PNP spokesman in Camp Crame for PNP chief Arturo Lomibao, Edgar Aglipay, and Hermogenes Ebdane.

For his part, Calderon told The STAR that his housing program was already adopted by various police regional offices and he hopes to accomplish a lot within two or three years until the end of his term.

"I saw my housing program that it’s already scattered in regions. In two or three years time, I hope that I can achieve a lot but I cannot finish the whole 75,000 housing units until the end of my term," he said.

Calderon reported that the Ilocos police regional office was the third highest among other regional offices with crime solution efficiency of 93.51 percent.

He expects it to become the most peaceful region in the country with the assumption of Bataoil, which he describes as a "remarkable leader."