CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-7 has a new head of office following the promotion of Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin as the new chief of police for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
PBGen Roy Parena will replace Aberin in an acting capacity. Pareña previously served as the Deputy Regional Director for Administration of PRO-7 before his new assignment.
Parena is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1993. He used to be deputy director for operations of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) and provincial director of Antique prior to his assignment to PRO-7 as deputy regional director for administration.
In an order issued by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Friday, Aberin was appointed to replace Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia, who will be transferred to head the Area Police Command (APC) - Southern Luzon.
Hernia, who took over the NCRPO leadership on October 9, 2024, was administratively relieved on November 7 for alleged extortion, initially for 10 days, with an extension of five days.
Aberin’s new assignment was announced on November 22, 2024, and took effect the following day.
“With humility and gratitude, I extend my sincere thanks to the people of Central Visayas for your consistent and unconditional support in all our peace and security endeavors during my tenure as Regional Director of PRO-7,” Aberin said in a statement sent to The Freeman yesterday.
“Our strong and mutual partnership has led to the significant reduction of crimes, the dismantling of threat groups, and the confiscation of more than P2 billion worth of illegal drugs in Central Visayas. Together, we have proven that peace and security is always a joint undertaking between the police and the community,” Aberin added, addressing the people of Central Visayas.
Aberin further expressed hope that region-7 residents would continue to support PRO-7 and the PNP.
Among the accomplishments of Aberin during his tenure as PRO-7 chief from March 26, 2023 to November 22, 2024 were the seizure of P2.1 billion worth of illegal drugs in 11,796 operations, resulting in the arrest of 13,822 individuals.
In addition, operations against loose firearms yielded a total of 69,029 firearms, 247 explosives, and 10,499 rounds of ammunition. In anti-illegal gambling operations, P2.4 million was seized, leading to the arrest of 21,948 individuals. — (FREEMAN)