PRO-6 names Mongcal’s possible successor
The search is over.
After almost two weeks of scouting, the Police Regional Office (PRO) VI finally found an officer to replace ICPO director Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal.
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas confirmed that the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame recommended the name of Senior Supt. Peter Basngi.
A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1988, Basngi is presently assigned at the Directorate for Integrated Police Office (DIPO) Visayas.
This early, though, there are some quarters who wanted a status quo.
By status quo, they wanted ICPO officer-in-charge Supt. Eugenio Espejo to remain on his post.
Earlier, Cuevas was also quoted that they would prefer that an “outsider” will be chosen to replace Basngi.
The region’s top cop wanted that someone not from Iloilo would take over ICPO to eliminate any biases during this political season.
Cuevas claimed that it is better that a policeman who is not associated with any politician should take the helm of ICPO.
After it was reported that Mongcal, who is now on leave, will not return at ICPO, PRO-6 submitted possible candidates for the ICPO directorship.
But Cuevas admitted that it’s as if “nobody desires to be the next Iloilo City police director.”
Although he reasoned that it was for health purposes, Mongcal took a leave of absence amid the call of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas to put a “qualified policeman for the post.”
Treñas’ apparent lack of confidence on Mongcal’s leadership came after another attack involving the mayor family-owned bakeshop.
It must be noted that last it was only last March 1 when Mongcal returned from a 15-day sick leave.
He claimed that he has some problems with his eyes.
“I have blurred visions if I don’t wear glasses. That’s also the same reason when I took my leave of absence last month,” he explained.
Mongcal said that his Manila-based ophthalmologist advised him for another check-up to determine what could be done to cure his eye ailment.
The city police chief said that he’s just waiting for the availability of his ophthalmologist before he could finalize the inclusive dates of his leave.
Btu even then, Treñas believed that he will no longer return.
