Camp Olivas, Pampanga—Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon formally assumed the post of regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 Wednesday, vice Police Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia during simple rites at the regional headquarters here.
De Leon, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy class 89, is not a stranger in region 3 as he was formerly the chief of the Bulacan Provincial field Unit of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group stationed in Malolos City.
PNP Chief Director General Camilo Cascolan presided over the relinquishment ceremonies shortly after a brief outreach activity in San Simon, Pampanga where he led other police officers in distributing food items under the “Rektang Bayanihan” project of outgoing PRO3 director.
Cascolan said “Rektang Bayanihan” project is a continuing effort of the PNP to help those under privilege and less fortunate whose livelihood have been extremely affected by the coronavirus pandemic with the support of local government units and private sponsors.
The PNP Chief directed the new PRO3 police chief to intensify campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism. “Do what is proper and continue the good programs of your predecessor.”
De Leon, former deputy director of Directorate for Human Resource Doctrine Division at the PNP National Headquarters, vowed to continue the best practices of his predecessor specially in the anti-criminality efforts and campaign against illegal drugs.
For his part, Sermonia reported that over 5,000 persons had been arrested for various offenses during the implementation of Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations in the last two weeks of his administration.
He said majority of the arrested persons were collared for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, Illegal Gambling and Illegal Possession of Firearms offenses while the rest has standing warrant of arrest and are considered wanted persons.
Sermonia said 88 assorted firearms including handguns and automatic rifles believed to be lost and unregistered were confiscated.
He said large quantity of illegal drugs and more than P722,000 of cash bets were seized from different illegal gambling joints and now under police custody.
The outgoing PRO3 director is designated as the chief of the PNP-Directorate for Police Community Relations Division, a position he once held before his short stint in Camp Olivas.
