BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, the newly-designated director of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, to give priority to the campaign against criminality, particularly illegal drugs and gambling.
Gonzales paid a courtesy call at the Mayor’s Office Friday along with Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Leonardia said the police should also include the enforcement of anti-graffiti law in various areas.
Gonzales, former chief of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, succeeded Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, who retired from the service last May 21.
Leonardia said Gonzales and Wanky agreed to act on the city's crime incidents and to implement the anti-graffiti campaign.
He said a group of artists will paint some walls for the beautification of the city, but policemen should also monitor the graffiti violators.
"All of us want to see Bacolod live up to its name as model city in the country," the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Leonardia said it’s still premature to discuss with Gonzales the status of Wanky as chief of BCPO.
He said that Gonzales will provide guidance in choosing the permanent official who will lead the Bacolod police.
