Eastern Visayas police has new OIC

PALO, Leyte – The new OIC of the Eastern Visayas police assumed his post on Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Mariel Maniego Magaway replaced Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz who has been assigned to head the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Eastern Mindanao.

The two officials were part of a sweeping revamp in the Philippine National Police (PNP) last June 1.

During arrival honors and the ensuing command conference, Magaway asked his officers to support the new PNP chief, Director Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

“I want to get your support just like the previous regional directors of PRO8 (Police Regional Office 8),” he said. “We need to enforce the four things that the PNP chief wants to happen to us: 1. to intensify our campaign against criminality and illegal drugs; 2. to intensify our internal cleansing program; 3. Teamwork; and 4. Maintain a high standard policy.”

Magaway vowed to continue the projects and programs of his predecessor.

Cruz, on the other hand, considers his new assignment as a career advancement.

“Medyo nalulungkot ako dahil mami-miss ko yung samahan dito. Dito ko nakita ‘yung magandang samahan ng mga kapulisan. Mami-miss ko ‘yung mga adventures namin dito,” he said.

During the nine months that he was regional director, Eastern Visayas ranked first in drug-clearing operations, with three out of six provinces and four cities declared as drug cleared.

About 97 percent of the region’s barangays were also cleared of drugs.

Cruz created a successful skills and livelihood training program for 200 drug surrenderers under the supervision of PRO8 and stakeholders.

He spearheaded the crackdowns on illegal logging and illegal fishing. Under his watch a total of 236,000 board feet of lumber were confiscated and R153 million worth of fishing equipment were seized.

Cruz headed the regional police from July 1, 2016 to April 11, 2018. (Marie Tonette Grace Marticio and Restituto A. Cayubit)