New Bohol police chief vows tough stand vs lawlessness

TAGBILARAN CITY – Newly installed Bohol police provincial director Sr. Supt. Angeles Geñorga on Wednesday vowed to form more beat patrol units and to improve police visibility to deter lawless activities.

Geñorga, who took over the command following a simple turn-over ceremony at the Camp Francisco Dagohoy here, said he will be guided by the ideals set forth by the regional police office to be active in pursuing criminals, including drug pushers and users.

He also appealed for support from all 48 station commanders spread across the 47 towns and one city of Bohol.

The change of command was graced by Philippine National Police-Central Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino.

The new Bohol police provincial director will have to maintain peace and order in a province that is frequently visited by local and foreign tourists.

In April last year, Abu Sayyaf Group bandits invaded some parts pf the prov- ince before they were eventually subdued and flushed out.

Sr. Supt. Felipe Natividad, who was replaced by Genorga, leaves his post with glaring achievements in the past 18 months.

Natividad headed peace and order initiatives in three of six international conferences held in Bohol last year.

The command for the other three conferences held in Bohol last year was under the regional police office.

Bohol hosted last year four Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings, a conference on geology, and the Asia Cooperation Dialog on Energy, Food and Water.

Meanwhile, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto has high hopes that the new provincial police director can and will work well with local peace and order teams.

Chatto met Geñorga on Monday during the special action committee meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Chatto said he was assured that Geñorga has what it takes to maintain peace and order in Bohol.