By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 has designated Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir as the new acting director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) effective October 1, 2021.
Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, PRO-6 director, presided in the turnover ceremony at the BCPO headquarters yesterday in the presence of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Martir was with the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) in Camp Crame before his reassignment here.
He assumed the post of Police Colonel Manuel Placido, who served as police director of the BCPO for one year.
A native of Bacolod, Martir is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1994. He was previously assigned as station commanders of Police Stations 2 and 4 here, and former head of the City Drug Enforcement Unit and operations officer of the BCPO.
He was also formerly assigned as chief of Talisay City Police Station in Negros Occidental, a former commander of the defunct Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-18, and former director of Zamboanga City Police Office.
In his message, Martir said it has been 21 years since he was last assigned here.
He sought the support of the city police force, stakeholders, and the entire Bacolodnons to win the peace here.
“As I embark on a new chapter of my life, I am looking forward to a harmonious relationship with everybody,” he said.
Meanwhile, Placido will be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Explosive Ordnance Dispersal (EOD)-K9 office.
He was given the PNP Efficiency Medal or Medalya ng Kasanayan during the turnover rites for his contribution to the city police force.
Placido thanked the city police force for their support to him during his stint.
“My assignment here is by surprise. Hindi ako nag apply. Hindi ko alam dadatnan ko. But, I found out na ang Bacolod ay napakagandang lugar, and I was able to deliver,” Placido said.
Placido said he had earlier sought to be relieved here to be closer to his family.
“My request to be relieved here is not because of ill feeling, but because of career progression, and incidentally, I realized the value or importance of family and connection more than anything else,” Placido said.
Placido had contributed to the development of the BCPO headquarters, including the construction of one of the highest flagpoles in the province, and the improvement of the BCPO grounds and other facilities.
For his part, Miranda said that changing of guards is just normal in the PNP organization.
Miranda said it is difficult to think about the wellness of your family while serving the constituents of another place.
But he noted that commitment is very important in police service.
Miranda said he is confident that Martir can serve Bacolod well, as he is familiar with the place since he grew up in the city.
He ordered him to focus on the peace and order campaign here, and encouraged him to have full commitment, considering the pandemic situation.
Miranda also encouraged all BCPO personnel to support Martir, and the programs of the PNP, as well as the city government in the fight against criminalities and the pandemic.
On the other hand, Leonardia recognized and thanked Placido for his service and contribution to the city.
PNP CHIEF TO VISIT BACOLOD
Miranda also announced that PNP chief Police Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar will be arriving here on October 8 or 9.
Eleazar was initially scheduled to visit here in the province in July, but because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation here, it was postponed.
As of this writing, no other details were provided on his supposed arrival here next week.
