SPD gets new director

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte on Tuesday assumed command of the Southern Police District (SPD) as he was given orders by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Leonardo Espina to sustain the drive against loose guns over the election period.

Villacorte who was previously assigned with the Philippine National Police’s Directorate for Personnel and Records Management Office (DPRM) at Camp Crame, replaced Chief Supt. Benito Estipona who is now the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) regional police director.

Estipona replaced Chief Supt. James Melad who was earlier relieved by the PNP.

In his acceptance of command speech, Villacorte said he intends to be very effective at the SPD as he is a resident of Makati City, which is under the district’s jurisdiction.

“This is my community. We would like to work where we live. We have to contribute to make this place where we live peaceful,” he said.

Villacorte also reminded the police officers now under his command to do things properly, to learn from experiences and to avoid making things complicated.

Speaking to reporters later, Villacorte admitted that while police officers of the SPD have enough guns, the force is undermanned and lacking in communication equipment.

Villacorte said that at present, the SPD has a ratio of 1 policeman for every 1,000 residents which is far from the ideal ratio of 1:500.

“At present, we have close to 4,000 police officers but the population keeps on growing,” he said.

Villacorte said the expects the delivery of needed communication equipment from Camp Crame before the election period gets into full swing.

According to Villacorte, his five years of experience at the DPRM will serve him at the SPD.

“Nakita ko kasi doon ang national perspective, lalo na sa upgrading ng skills at placements ng tao,” he said.

Meanwhile, Espina ordered Villacorte to sustain the anti-criminality drive over the election period.

“Dapat tutukan ang anti-criminality operations to make the streets as safe and secure as possible,” said Espina.