To uplift moral values, Romana eyes Bible study for cops

CEBU, Philippines - Newly-installed Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Noli Romana plans to hold Bible study for the police to uplift their moral values.

Sitting for the first time as representative of the police during the regular meeting of Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC), Romana presented his plans of uplifting the moral values of the police focusing on developing human resource department.

“Today (Tuesday) is the first day of Romana as PNP representative member of PCAC and he presented his plans and programs as the new city police director. He expressed intentions of cleaning hierarchy at the organization,” PCAC presiding officer Eugene Elizalde said.

Elizalde added that the personal choice of Mayor Michael Rama stressed that he is willing to reach a point of pressing charges against scalawag police officers in order to straighten the image of police forces in the Queen City of the South.

“The main direction of CCPO under his (Romana) leadership, based on the presentation at the meeting, will focus on human resources department. Basically, impart moral values as well as good manners and right conduct. From there, service will follow,” the PCAC chief said.

Part of the activities mentioned by Romana before the member agencies and offices during the weekly meeting is the inclusion of Bible study to also enrich spiritual aspect of police officers.

The mayor supported Romana’s plans banking on the moral qualifications of his chosen chief of police.

“Praise the Lord, Hallelujah! When I got the chance to talk to him, one-on-one, I asked him ‘are you corrupt?’,” Rama told reporters during yesterday’s regular press conference.

He added that while Bible study sessions can be conducted with Romana being a born again Christian, Rama believed that the new police chief will also respect other religion and belief including Islam and Catholicism, which is mostly practiced in Cebu city.

As relayed by Elizalde, Romana also vowed to reinforce police visibility in key areas within the city. Moreover, the PCAC chief revealed the tripartite partnership of CCPO, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and city government in keeping peace and order.

“We intend to set a schedule for the three to meet and discuss how to empower the barangay tanods as force multiplier. This endeavor will be led by PNP,” Elizalde said.

He also noted that yesterday’s meeting was the first time since he assumed into office that all member agencies and offices were complete in attendance with office and department heads showing up, not just sending representatives.— (FREEMAN)