DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - The Philippine National Police in Camp Crame, Quezon City has yet to submit to Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo a list of nominees for the position of director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO).
This was confirmed by Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, newly installed director of the Police Regional Office-7, during his visit here Thursday.
Currently, the position is vacant when Supt. Noli Romana was transferred shortly after the May 13 elections to the Cebu City Provincial Police Office. In the absence of a replacement, Supt. Alet Virtucio is at the helm of NOrPPO as acting director.
Under the law, the provincial governor has the authority to choose the provincial police director from a list of three eligible nominees as recommended by Camp Crame.
Constantino said at least three senior officers from the PRO-7 had applied for the position. They are Sr. Supts. Erson Digal, Marciano Batiancila and Petronelli Baldebrin, whose names were already submitted to the PNP Screening and Selection Board in Camp Crame, he said.
Constantino however said he could not ascertain yet the date that the governor will receive the list of nominees for NOrPPO director.
In previous interviews, Degamo said his choice was Baldebrin, currently chief of Mandaue City Police in Cebu and who hails from Siaton, Negros Oriental, also the hometown of the governor.
Constantino paid a courtesy call on the governor Thursday morning prior to meeting the officers and staff of the NOrPPO headquarters at Camp Fernandez in nearby Sibulan town, after which a press conference was held. (FREEMAN)