OZAMIZ CITY—Philippine National Police Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa recently paid a surprise visit to the PNP Ozamiz Police Station to personally check on the status of the city’s new top cop, Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.
Espenido, whom Dela Rosa reassigned from his previous post in Albuera, Leyte, welcomed the PNP chief along with Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog.
In a statement, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. commended Espenidoís recent successful buy-bust operation in the city, as he welcomed the arrival of the new police chief so they can work together ìin fighting illegal drugs and in maintaining peace and order.
Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa II, deputy spokesperson of Police Regional Office 10, said Dela Rosa also commended Espenido and challenged him to keep up the fight against illegal drugs during his visit.
Last week, Espenido and his men arrested three top marijuana dealers in Ozamiz during a buy-bust operation, identified as Ariel Bundaon, Lindon Bolante and Rosevilla Villamor, all residents of the city.
Espenido is noted for his involvement in the recent Senate hearings on the government’s campaigns against illegal drugs while he was still police chief of Albuera. Dela Rosa reassigned him to Ozamiz last Dec. 8.