PNP new PRIORITIES

[grabehbebe]

---

NEWLY installed National Police Chief Oscar Calderon yesterday vowed to actively fight terrorism and swiftly bring down the incidence of crime while taking care of the moral and physical welfare of his men.

“Let us pursue every terrorist and criminal down to the farthest barangays if only to ensure law, peace and order in every community,” said Calderon in his speech during turnover rites at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

Calderon, who was chosen even before the retirement of Director General Arturo Lomibao on July 4, said he would also launch housing projects for the more than 74,000 officers who have no houses to call their own.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...04_july06_2006

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in a speech during the change of command, said a Malacañang search committee had unanimously chosen Calderon as Lomibao’s successor because of leadership qualities and character to take charge of the 118,000-strong police force.

She said Calderon’s experience in police management was expected to make a dent in the government’s fight against the leftist groups by instituting closer coordination with the Armed Forces to crush the 37-year-old communist insurgency.

“The PNP-AFP partnership is set to be formalized as we run to the ground the armed core of the communist Left,” she said.

Lomibao officially retired yesterday after 38 years in military service. Calderon, meanwhile, would reach the mandatory retirement age on Oct. 1 next year.

Lomibao, who assumed the post of PNP chief on March 13 last year, faced the so-called “Bicutan siege” in Bicutan and he failed to have a formal turnover rite from Edgardo Aglipay, his predecessor.

[baron]

Well, the newly appointed PNP chief seemed to be the right guy in the office. That's what his own subordinates tells the media people. They have given their respect towards the new PNP Chief. I think that is what he needed so as to prove his authority over his men.

His priorities will very much help the PNP to have a direct and active role in line with their duty to protect the people and assure their safety.