The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas has designated its number three man as the officer in charge of the Cebu provincial police. Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, PRO-7 Chief, appointed Col. Noel Flores as acting Cebu provincial police director in a concurrent capacity after the national headquarters accepted the resignation of the former provincial chief, Col. Rommel Ochave. Flores is the current deputy regional director for operations of the PRO-7. Under the law, Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., would submit to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia three to five names of police officials with the rank of colonel who are qualified to become provincial police head. Regional police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, said he was not sure if the PNP chief had submitted a shortlist of the nominees. However, he assured Cebuanos that Ochave's resignation will not affect the peace and order situation in the province. "As I have mentioned in the past, the program, plans, and activities of the Cebu City Police Office are already in place and established, and the strategies are there (for) whoever sits as provincial director. He can only continue," Pelare told reporters. Pelare added that the regional police chief has full trust and confidence in Flores. "The DRDO (deputy regional director for operations) is a highly competent officer in the PNP, so they are assured that while the process of choosing the new provincial director is ongoing, (our) DRDO, Col. Flores will be able to dispense his duties as OIC provincial director," he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency