LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet Provincial Police Office designated three junior officers as acting chiefs of police of the different Municipal Police Stations where they were previously given the status of officers-in-charge.
In General Orders No. 20 issued recently, Police Col. Elmer Ragay, Provincial Director of the Benguet Provincial Police office, designated Police Maj. Cleff Vencio as acting chief of police of the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, Police Maj. Zacarias Cao P. Dausen as acting chief of police of the Atok Municipal Police Station and Police Maj. Rene D. Lizardo as acting chief of police of the Buguias Municipal Police Station.
Previously, the 3 junior police officers were designated as officers-in-charge of the aforesaid police stations and are awaiting the confirmation of the respective local chief executives for them to be able to get the permanent appointment for the current positions that they are occupying.
The Benguet Provincial Police office transmitted to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo K. Salda, Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac and Buguias Mayor Ruben Tindaan the short-list of qualified police officers who deserve to be recommended as chief of police in their areas of jurisdiction but they were not able to issue the required confirmation for the issuance of the permanent appointment of the aforesaid police officers within the prescribed 10-day grace period.
Under the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 6975 or the law that created the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology as its attached agencies, the PNP is required to submit to the concerned local chief executive a short-list of qualified police officers wherein the chief of police of a locality will be selected by virtue of a recommendation that will be issued by the Provincial Governor, City or Municipal Mayor subject to concurrence by the PNP leadership.
However, local chief executives can opt to return the short-list to the PNP with the information that he or she has no chosen recommended and for the PNP to again submit another short-list from which he will be able to select the chief of police of the city or municipal office or the provincial police office.
If for the second tie, the local chief executive cannot make a recommendation to a sort-listed police officer, the PNP can already designate the sitting police officer in an acting capacity until such time that he or she will be issued a permanent appointment or upon confirmation of the concerned local officials.
The appointments of the aforesaid police officers who will be in acting capacity in their respective assignments took effect last February 4, 2020 after the same had been furnished the concerned local chief executive for their information and guidance.
The police officers will have a 2-year tour of duty in their respective assignments except when they will be pulled by their senior officers for possible reassignment to the areas that need their services or upon just cause depending on the prevailing situation in their areas of jurisdiction as per the assessment of the PNP.
By HENT