POLICE Superintendent Ariel Phillip Pontillas, chief of Gingoog City Police Office, has received death threats by an unidentified group claiming to be New People's Army (NPA).
Pontillas, however, said he is not buying it, saying he believes the threat comes not from the NPA but comes from a group of individuals who are supposedly not happy with his intensified anti-illegal drugs and gambling campaigns.
In an interview, Pontillas said he received text messages and calls from an unknown number saying they are from the "hukbong bayan," but Pontillas, a former intelligence chief of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said his assessment tells him these are the people who have been ran over and hit by his operations.
"Yesterday (Monday, April 30) through text, they said they will come get me anytime because I have faulted the masses, but so far I don't think these threats are from the NPA, what I have been doing here is only for the greater good of the residents here, and so far I received immense support from the Gingoognons, their support is overwhelming," he said.
"The people here know me, and to do my job professionally is what I'm here for. So no, I'll stay here I won't request for transfer, I will face them," Pontillas said, who is a native of Gingoog.
In only 3 months-time, the Gingoog City Police under Pontillas' leadership has arrested 86 wanted persons, carried four and six operations of drugs and illegal gambling operations, respectively.
He also launched interactive programs for residents such as Barkada Kontra Droga, Kiddie Pulis, and Basketball Clinic for Free.
Pontillas was adjudged as the "Best Junior Cop Police Commissioned Officer" in Northern Mindanao.
In 2016, Pontillas was adjudged by former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa as one of the best cops in Northern Mindanao "for showing outstanding performance in the fight against drugs and criminalities."
