He knows a daunting task awaits him, but Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan said he is up to the challenge.
Gaerlan yesterday assumed the post of acting chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7). He replaced Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas, who was named the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Northern Luzon.
Gaerlan said he will first serve as officer in charge for a few months before getting the permanent appointment.
Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan (left) receives a sword from Police Director Dominador Aquino (right) symbolizing his assumption ad chief of the PRO-7 while chief Chief Supt. Prudencio “Tom” Banas looks on at Camp Sergio Osmena. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Bañas was given the Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod for his accomplishment as PRO-7 chief which included securing peace and order during the APEC meetings in Cebu and an intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
“His (Bañas) performance is a tough act to follow, but it inspires me to do more for the good of the region,” said Gaerlan in his speech during the turnover ceremony at Camp Sergio Osmeña.
Gaerlan was the deputy chief of the Directorate of Human Resource and Management in Camp Crame before he was moved to PRO-7.
He said he was only told of his reassignment last Tuesday morning.
In his speech, he described the last 30 hours as stressful as he had to finish all pending papers before packing up his things to travel to Cebu.
CHALLENGE
“These coming months and weeks will be very challenging for the PRO-7. Aside from the Christmas rush, the International Eucharistic Congress, Sinulog in January and elections in May, we are also confronted with immediate goals under Operation Lambat-Sibat,” he said.
Police Director Dominador Aquino Jr., who presided over the turnover ceremony, relayed the marching orders of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ricardo Marquez.
“Our chief would like our regional director to spearhead our renewed efforts in illegal drugs in the region. The PNP will not tolerate any of its personnel who are engaged in drugs. Part of the director’s mandate will be the weeding out of undesirables,” said Aquino.
“Cebu will be hosting the IEC congress next year. General Gaerlan is expected to make full use of his experiences he learned during the last APEC to ensure international gatherings will be peaceful and free from any untoward incident,” he added.