Crame approves Rama’s request: CCPO gets new director

CEBU, Philippines - Starting this week, the Cebu City Police Office will have a new director.

This after Camp Crame approved the letter of Mayor Michael Rama requesting for Sr. Supt. Noli Romana to be designated as the city's new police director.

The Police Regional Office-7 received yesterday morning a memorandum assigning Romana to his new position and terminating Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr.'s post as acting CCPO director.

The memorandum was signed by Director Catalino Cuy of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management of the Philippine National Police.

A formal turnover will be held on Thursday at the CCPO grounds.

Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza, Chief of Staff of the PRO-7, said he already informed Romana and Natu-el about the memorandum after receiving a text message from the national headquarters Sunday.

"I received a text message Sunday informing me about it but the memorandum was  sent just this morning (yesterday)," Carranza said.

Carranza said the implementation of the memorandum should have to take effect immediately but they have to move it due to some important matters that PRO-7 director, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, has to attend to.

"Graduation kasi ng PNP scouts sa iba't ibang parte ng region until Wednesday pa," he said.

From Negros to Cebu

Romana was relieved early this month from his post as director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office. He was replaced by Supt. Alet Virtucio.

Then PRO-7 director, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, relieved Romana for his failure to curb the illegal gambling in his jurisdiction.

Garbo even placed Romana under investigation after two of his aides were allegedly caught on video receiving bribe money from illegal gamblers.

Natu-el will be temporarily assigned to the regional headquarters where he would assume the post that would be left vacant by the new director of Cebu Provincial Police Office.

 "Kung sino 'yung mapili as  next CPPO director automatic na si Natu-el 'yung mailalagay sa vacant position… we cannot allow a senior superintendent on a floating status," Carranza said. 

Rama, who was still in Japan yesterday, was reportedly glad that PNP Director General Alan Purisima had fulfilled his promise when Rama visited Camp Crame a few weeks ago.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said he received reports that illegal gambling is rampant in the city's different barangays.

Labella said Romana should immediately act on this illegal activity once he assumes his new post.

Ready to leave

Natu-el yesterday said he is ready to leave the CCPO, which he has been serving since January 1.

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go," he said, hoping that Romana will continue implementing his programs at the CCPO.

He said Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, head of the Regional Personnel and Human Resources Development Division, informed him that Camp Crame already forwarded the order to reassign him from CCPO.

Natu-el said he will vacate the position "effective immediately" or as soon as Rama arrives from Japan. — With Rene U. Borromeo and Niña G. Sumacot/LPM (FREEMAN)