Colonel Emmanuel Peralta is now the acting commander of the Southern Police District, replacing Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan who was transferred to the National Capital Region Police Office.
Peralta assumed his post Saturday following a simple change of command and turnover ceremony witnessed by NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas at the SPD Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
In a speech, Peralta assured Sinas the SPD will pursue the intensified intelligence-driven anti-illegal drugs operations, particularly on middle level high valued targets.
He also promised to prioritize the internal cleansing program of the National Police and going after those caught using vehicles which were recovered and inventoried as evidence during various police operations.
Peralta also said he will not tolerate any scalawag or the abuse by any police officer, and specifically mentioned that “playing golf during office hours, entering houses of ill refute and involving in illegal activities and other prohibited acts are highly discouraged.”
Sinas appointed Peralta to replace Bathan who was transferred as deputy regional director of the NCRPO.
The Commission on Human Rights and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines recently condemned Bathan for grabbing the mobile phone of a media man during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Manila last month.
The CHR and NUJP said the use of excessive force made by SPD policemen during the religious event was unnecessary, and the grabbing of mobile phone of GMA news reporter Jun Veneracion can be considered suppression of the freedom of the press.
While covering the procession, a police officer and a devotee of the Black Nazarene started tussling along Ayala Bridge. Veneracion was recording the incident when Bathan snatched his phone, it was then that the reporter was restrained by other police to keep him from retrieving his phone.
Sinas said Bathan and Veneracion were able to settle things amicably.
Sinas said Bathan's appointment as his deputy for operations came after Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro was transferred as commander of the Police Regional Office 7 (Central Visayas).
Ferro replaced Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, who was reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP.
“General Bathan was relieved not because of anything. It just so happened that he is included in the movement (of personnel). That is a promotion for him,” said Sinas.
Sinas, during the SPD turnover ceremony, emphasized the “No Take Policy, No Selling of Drugs and No Taking Grease Money from Illegal Gambling. “ He asked the SPD policemen and civilian personnel to extend full support to the leadership of Peralta.
Sinas reminded the officers to do their job and follow the policies from higher office. He encouraged the attendees to talk about their issues to be able to get a positive output.