Garbo heads to NCR

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. received Wednesday his order from the national headquarters transferring him to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Camp Crame has yet to name Garbo’s replacement although Chief Supt. Generoso Cervo, the spokesman of the PNP, will assume today to lead PNP Central Visayas in an acting capacity.

Cervo was ordered to report to PRO-7 as Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA) since July 1. He replaced Senior Supt. Samuel Yordan who was reassigned as chief of Headquarters Security Group at Camp Crame.

Senior Supt. Erson Digal, chief of Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD), said that Garbo will relinquish his duty at the PRO-7 today and will immediately assume as NCR director tomorrow.

The list of possible PRO-7 director includes Chief Supt.  Josephus Angan, Chief Supt. Edgardo Ingking, Chief Supt. Nicanor Constantino, Chief Supt. Edgar Layon and a certain Chief Supt. Aquino.

When asked what he won’t forget about the region, Garbo said that the May 2013 election was a challenge for him as he was battling between friendship and his advocacy to remain neutral.

“That was so intense on our side but we have to follow the rule of law,” Garbo said. He already made a farewell visit at the offices of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale Monday morning.

Garbo thanked Magpale and Davide for the support they gave to the regional office and to the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO). He assumed office in September 2011.

Among the accomplishments of Garbo included the Police Integrated Patrol System in which all policemen in the entire region are directed to implement police visibility in the area during ‘critical’ hours to prevent crimes. He also fought illegal gambling and relieved two provincial directors for their alleged failure to curb illegal gambling.

Aside from his accomplishments, Garbo also clashed with public officials such as former governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who accused him of being unethical and violating human rights. Complaints were also filed against Garbo before the Office of the Ombudsman due to the tension at the Capitol.

Recently, Garbo also clashed with Rama over the mayor’s choice for the next Cebu City police director. Rama is pushing for Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, the chief of  the Negros police whom Garbo wanted out of Central Visayas.  (FREEMAN)