Bicol new PNP chief lists plans, priorities

By Mar S. Arguelles

Police BGen Jonnel Estomo, the new Bicol police regional director, on Monday, Apr. 26 laid down his program called “SAFE,” a strategic plan that would ensure the safety, protection of communities against criminal elements including insurgency.

Estomo said his program was the marching orders given by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Debold Sinas to ensure that the national police comprehensive program be efficiently delivered and respectably pursued in the region.

Estomo called on all police units to implement his program dubbed as SAFE which according to him means that the police must at all times be Seen (police visibility) Appreciated, Felt, and Action-oriented police services.

He said “I will lead in carrying out the PNP comprehensive program to the best of my ability based on standards in making the police a respectable organization and to deliver its services despite the surmounting challenges focusing on the safety of the public.”

Estomo officially assumed office at a turnover ceremony in Camp Simoen Ola, Legazpi City replacing BGen Bartolome Bustamante who was promoted to the rank of police major general and appointed as the new director of the PNP’s Human Resource and Doctrine Development.

The new Bicol police chief is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992, and former director of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group. He is a native of Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Meanwhile, Police MGen. Ferdinand Medina, PNP deputy chief for Operation, the guest speaker and presiding officer at the turnover of command ceremony, said that the new Bicol chief is expected to initiate high impact police operations against criminal elements and would work closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the local TF-ELCAC, local government units (LGU) and other stakeholders.