Region welcomes 79 new 'Inspector' cops
The police force of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 here in Western Visayas welcomed into its fold newly-promoted members.
No less than the region's top cop, Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, PRO 6 director led the oath of office of the new officers. Chief Superintendent Cuevas was assisted by Director Honey Paredes of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
The mass promotion apparently came as a surprise to all 79 policemen and policewomen. A bigger surprise to those who started the week with ranks of Police Officer 1 (PO1) and starting yesterday, became Police Inspectors. Other promoted cops were from the rank of Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2).
The good news was announced during Tuesday's flag-raising ceremony at the PRO 6 headquarters in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.
Thirty-five of the new Police Inspectors are from Iloilo, 18 from Negros Occidental, 9 from Bacolod City and six from the Province of Aklan.
The Province of Antique, on the other hand, had five from this batch of new officers and two from the Province of Guimaras.
The News Today (TNT) learned that the number would have been more. At least six have yet to secure government-prescribed clearance from the anti-graft body, Office of the Ombudsman. Another six from PRO 6 were also "absorbed" by Region 8 police office to fill up the granted quota.
To note, a minimum of five years in police service is required prior to any reassignment of post.
More promotions are to be expected particularly with the lateral entry program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).