Outgoing NBI-7 Director Jose Justo S. Yap (left) shakes the hand of incoming NBI-7 Director Patricio S. Bernales Jr. before the start of the turnover of command ceremony. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).
THE head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the country, Director Dante Gierran vowed to fight illegal drugs “of all kind of aspects in Cebu” through a special task force which will be organized as soon as the new regional director of NBI Central Visayas takes over on Monday.
“We will fight drugs – off all kind of aspects – in Cebu,” said the tough-talking Gierran to members of the press before the start of turnover ceremonies at the NBI office in Capitol Site, Cebu City, yesterday.
According to Gierran, a two to three-man special task force will be created in Region 7 with its members to be handpicked by newly installed NBI Regional Director Patricio Bernales.
The NBI, Gierran said, is open to work hand-in-hand with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against illegal drugs.
“Our aim is the same. Aduna silay (PNP) mandato, naa sad miy mandato. Aduna pa gane mi’y gintawag na barkadahan kay mao na ang gusto sa atong Presidente (If they have a mandate, so do we. There is even what is called as close friendship which is what the President wants),” Gierran said.
The NBI in Central Visayas will have a new director beginning, July 18, Monday, following turnover rites held yesterday with Bernales taking over the post of Jose Justo Yap Jr. who was NBI-7’s regional director for more than five months.
Yap will move on to head the NBI regional office either in Cagayan de Oro (Region 10), Davao (Region 11), or the National Capital Region (NCR) if he isn’t soon promoted as NBI Deputy Director, according to Gierran who flew in from Manila to preside over the turnover between Yap and Bernales, both his classmates in Batch 26 of the NBI Academy.
“Let’s have teamwork and let’s stay true to our calling,” Bernales said as he assumed the NBI post vacated by Yap.
“We have to fight criminality in our country, especially illegal drugs and corruption. I have big shoes to fill in and it will be difficult,” Bernales, who hails from the CARAGA region, said of Yap’s achievements throughout his short stay in Cebu and referring to him as one of his “idols.”
Bernales once served as Yap’s assistant regional director for nearly four years at NBI-10.
“As I assume today, please help me just as how you helped your outgoing regional director,” Bernales told NBI-7 personnel.
Yap, meanwhile, described his stay in the region as very “fruitful and memorable.”
During his stay in Cebu, Yap promoted camaraderie among members of the bureau by organizing different sports competitions and team building activities.
Bernales is scheduled to meet with the heads of the different NBI field offices in the region when he assumes office on Monday. / USJ-R Intern Rabboni Borbon