THE top official of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Nocppo) told the personnel of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station to “forget the past and move forward” during his visit at the police station Friday morning, August 25.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial director of Nocppo, said he also ordered the policemen under the leadership of new town police head, Chief Inspector Jake Barila, to continue the fight against illegal drugs.
Castil visited the station after the rift between former town police chief Lawrence Bathan and Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo was ended by the assumption of Barila earlier this week.
He checked the personnel and also gave them other “confidential” instructions, following the transfer of nine personnel who personally decided to be relieved from their posts in support of Bathan’s relief.
They were members of the town’s anti-illegal drug group.
The nine policemen were already transferred to other units.
With their relief, Barila has asked Castil for additional personnel after Arceo learned about the limited number of town policemen.
Castil said he will try to provide the town with more personnel if there is available reinforcement.
For now, the Provincial Public Safety Company is augmenting the town for security measures, he added.
