Malolos—The Bulacan Provincial Police Office has a new acting commander.
Police Colonel Lawrence Cajipe, former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Management Group in Region 4-A, was installed by Central Luzon Regional Director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia as the new acting provincial director of the Bulacan PPO.
Cajipe replaced Colonel Emma Libunao, the first female provincial police director of the province, who served for just two months and four days. She was reassigned to the Office of the Chief of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The change of leadership at the Bulacan PPO was a big surprise to many, specially at the Provincial Capitol, which is in a somber mood after the mother of incumbent Gov. Daniel Fernando died the other day.
Likewise, three Chiefs of Police were also relieved from their positions. Lt. Col. Orlando Castil of San Jose del Monte City, Lt. Col. Omar Fiel of Sta Maria, and Lt. Col. Joel Aparejado of Guiguinto town were reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP.
Sources at Camp Gen. Alejo S. Santos in Malolos, requesting they not be named, said Libunao’s sudden relief and the reassignment of Aparejado, the police chief of the governor’s hometown, caught many officials unaware, as they questioned the protocols involved in the moves.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Gil Domingo was named acting chief of San Jose del Monte City, while Lt. Col. Jaime Quiocho was appointed acting COP of Sta Maria.
Lt. Col. Jesus Manalo was named new Pulilan police chief, Lt. Col. Jayson San Pedro was appointed to Baliwag town, while Col. Voltairre Rivera was designated the new top cop of San Miguel, Bulacan.
During his first command conference, Cajipe vowed he would vigorously pursue the intensified campaign against the illegal drug trade in the province”• which has the highest record of persons killed (32) in a single day in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Cajipe also said he will stop illegal gambling activities, especially illegal jueteng operations, and vowed an “internal cleansing” to rid their ranks of rogue policemen and “render only the best public service for every Bulakenyo.”