New PRO 6 head urges community cooperation in peace and order drive
Newly installed regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Chief Supt. Geary Barias called on the community to join hands with the police in order to curb criminality and maintain peace and order in the region.
Barias made the call in his acceptance speech during the turnover of command held at Camp Martin Delgado last Wednesday, July 2.
Barias who served the Caraga region before being transferred here in Western Visayas replaced Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II who retired at the age of 56.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon along with Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, National Capital Region Police chief Senior Supt. Vidal Querol, Mary Lou Arroyo, sister of first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, and other local officials graced the change of command rites.
Calderon was the classmate of Reyes at the Philippine Military Academy class 73.
Barias pointed that without the support of the community, and as well as the private sector, the police would not be successful in performing its tasks.
Barias is not new to PRO 6. He has served as chief of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID) during the time of Chief Supt. Rolando Garcia.
At one time he also served as provincial director of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office.
Barias assured that the police in the region will do its part in President Arroyo's call to eradicate the communist insurgents New People's Army (NPA).
He said, proper coordinations will be made with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help in its counter insurgency operations.
Barias also vowed to instill professionalism in the police ranks as what his predecessor did.
In his more than a year stint as regional director, Reyes made PRO 6 the second highest in Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) in the country second to Region 12.
The region was also recorded to have an average of 4.83 monthly crime rate, the seventh lowest in the country. Accomplishments which made Dir. Gen. Calderon say that Reyes' stint as PRO 6 director was "outstanding and exceptional."
Barias vowed to follow the footsteps of Reyes, saying "this is a big challenge to me but I will do my very best."