BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Mayor Evelio Leonardia has chosen Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz as the permanent City Police director effective on Monday.
De la Paz who has served for more than two months as officer-in-charge bested other nominees for the post that included Western Visayas Highway Patrol Group chief, Senior Supt. Cesar Jacob, Senior Supt. Herminio Tadeo from Camp Crame, former Region III chief of Police Aviation Service, Senior Supt. Eleodoro Ocampo, and former Tuguegarao City deputy director Senior Supt. Domingo Lucas.
De la Paz was "endorsed" by the business sector and other stakeholders after they have seen changes in the anti-criminality drive in the city.
Leonardia said he consulted Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, the city councilors and set the criteria before deciding to choose de la Paz as the new city director. He said de la Paz passed the tests of a city police director with flying colors.
Leonardia added that de la Paz gained public acceptance and respect because, upon his assumption as OIC of BCPO, dramatic changes and innovation in the campaign against lawless elements were noted.
De la Paz said he is grateful for his appointment as the new city police director and assured that the BCPO, under his watch, will be closely working with the city government.
Now that he is already the city police director, De la Paz assured the people of Bacolod that there will be aggressive apprehensions in the campaign against dangerous drugs and illegal gambling.