Marawi-born cop assumes PNP-ARMM top post

PARANG, Maguindanao – A Marawi City-born graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has assumed the leadership of the Police Regional Office for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), pledging to work closely with all in preserving peace in the hostilities-scarred region. Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, a member of the PMA Class 1986, took over the directorship of the PRO-ARMM from retiring Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, a PMA 1984 graduate. Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who spent two-year college studies in Marawi City’s Mindanao State University main campus, officiated the leadership turnover between Sindac and Mijares in formal rites at the PRO-ARMM headquarters in this town on Friday. “I was born in Marawi City, raised in Mindanao, so how can I not support the Mindanao peace process? I love peace. I want peace in my homeland,” Mijares said. Dela Rosa lauded Sindac for his role in the surrender of thousands of drug dependents and peddlers to the provincial and municipal police offices and in the restoration of normalcy in the conflict-stricken Marawi City while director of PRO-ARMM. A day before the turnover ceremony, Dela Rosa awarded Sindac three more citation medals for his accomplishments as ARMM police director. “He is a Mindanaon. He speaks well of the socio-economic, political and religious dimensions and intricacies of the southern communities. I know he will make good,” Sindac said, referring to Mijares. Junior officers said they expect Mijares to work closely with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, also a Mindanaon, in protecting the gains and dividends of Malacañang’s peace overture with the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front. (Ali G. Macabalang)