SENIOR Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr. assumed as acting director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) effective April 1.
This was confirmed Sunday, April 2, by Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-18) Public Information Officer Armilyn Vargas who said that Castil was sent to the province based on the order of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald de la Rosa.
However, Vargas cannot tell if there will be a turn-over of office today, April 3.
Castil came from the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the PNP headquarters. He is a native of Pangasinan and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1993.
He replaced Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda, who was temporarily assigned as officer-in-charge of Nocppo for five days after Senior Superintendent William Señoron was removed from his post as the provincial director last March 27 due to his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
Señoron was among the policemen in the region named by top drug suspect Ricky Serenio in his first sworn statement and supplemental affidavit, allegedly receiving protection money from "Berya" drug group but the police official denied the latter's allegations. He was transferred to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.
For his part, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. expressed disappointment over the relief of Señoron, whom he personally chose among other candidates to be seated as Nocppo director in 2015.
The governor said he believes Señoron is not involved in illegal drugs, adding that there are even other people who are involved in illegal activities that need to be investigated.
He is urging the PRO-18 to conduct a thorough investigation about the accusations, which he considered questionable.
Marañon has yet to receive a list of candidates who might be suited for the position vacated by Señoron.
