New CV top cop impresses Tomas

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said was impressed by the philosophy of new Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, who assured that he would take responsibility on whatever will happen to the peace and order situation in Central Visayas.

“He has this philosophy that he’s responsible for his area. He will not blame somebody else. That’s a good commander,” he told reporters yesterday.

The mayor met Espino last Friday at his office along with Cebu City Police Office Director Joel Doria and City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters.

Espino replaced Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, who will receive his second star rank and was reassigned as director of the Human Resource and Doctrine Development at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame in Manila.

To recall, a major police revamp in Central Visayas last year did not sit well with the mayor because Taliño replaced his trusted man, Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Commendador.

This time, the mayor said he liked Espino’s drive to improve peace and order even up to the community level. This was after Espino said one strategy he would adopt is to assign a policeman to a specific territory. If something happens in the area of responsibility of that particular policeman, it is only that policeman who would suffer the consequence, not the whole unit he belongs to.

“I like that attitude because that’s very unusual. He (Espino) says when there’s a breakdown in an area, don’t just relieve the police commander, relieve the policemen who are responsible,” the mayor said.

“I’ve never met a police officer that talks like that. In other words, know your areas so that if there’s a breakdown, you’ll get the policeman, you’ll punish the policeman not the precinct,” he added.

Osmeña said he liked the passion of Espino, who vowed to continue the fight against illegal drugs in the region.

In response, the mayor promised the city would continue giving assistance to the policemen, especially in their fight against illegal drugs.

Osmeña said Espino’s mantra is something new, stressing that it should be implemented and that he would give the police official the free hand in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“I just like him to take the lead. As long as he makes his move, I don’t think I have to be there if he will do that. I will just help him,” the mayor said.

Osmeña also commended Doria for leading a successful anti-drug campaign in the city. (FREEMAN)