IPPO turn-over rites tentatively set on Oct. 5
Changing of guards at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is expected to take place next week with Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz leaving the helm to Senior Supt. Renato Gumban, former chief of the region’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
De la Paz said the turn-over of command is tentatively set on October 5 since Gumban is still in Manila.
The PNP hierarchy already informed De la Paz of the turn-over of command between him and of Gumban.
Gumban will assume as OIC of the IPPO pending the list of three names to be provided by the Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board for Governor Niel Tupas to choose.
De la Paz said it is most likely that the governor will opt for Gumban’s assumption as IPPO director since he is also included in the list of three nominees recommended for the position.
As he is about to end his two-year stint as IPPO chief, De la Paz thanked the trust and confidence given to him by Tupas. He said it is already a big break for him in assuming as Iloilo police provincial director after serving at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
De la Paz boosted his achievements while serving as IPPO director. He said the crime incidence in the province of Iloilo was greatly reduced while the Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) was increased.
The violent incidents involving the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was reduced compared in previous years, said De la Paz.
He added, 13 members of gun for hire were neutralized to include Dennis Cartagena. They were tagged as members of the “Tumba Patis.” The neutralization of the group improved the peace and order in the province.
Five criminal gangs were nailed and put in prison, number of hold- up groups were apprehended and violators of the no helmet policy were arrested in the police initiated check points, said De la Paz.
The check points which netted the violators of no helmet policy became an effective crime prevention measures. The police war on illegal drugs likewise made a significant change with the arrest of at least 100 drug personalities during the two-year term of De la Paz.
De la Paz urged his successor to continue the gains achieved during his leadership. He also recommended that the incoming leadership will focus their campaign against loose firearms, remaining criminal gangs and cattle rustling.
Cattle rustling activities are still prevalent on the second and third districts in Iloilo, said De la Paz.