CAMP SIMEON OLA, LEGAZPI CITY – A new Police Regional director assumes command during a turn-over ceremonies held in this camp on Monday (Oct. 14), replacing Police Chief Supt.Clarence Villanueva Guinto who also retires from service that spanned thirty-three years.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General, Police Director General Alan M. Purisima, led the turn-over command rites on Monday afternoon that installed Police Chief Supt. Victor Pelota Deona as the new regional police director for Bicol.
Deona formerly served as deputy regional director of the PNP in Bicol and PNP Provincial director of Camarines Sur province sometime in 2010.
Guinto who retired from the PNP service effective October 15 this year served as acting regional director since Jan.8, 2013.
Guinto received from Purisima the “Medalya Ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod,” the PNP special service medal and was also commended by COMELEC Bicol director Romeo Fortes for the sterling performance of the Election Task Force created for Masbate province. Guinto was also credited for innovation on security measures for the 2013 Polls that put all local jails under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penoloty (BJMP), preventing politicians from using inmates as private armed groups.
Fortes said that 94 warrants were served in search for loose firearms used by private armed groups in Masbate and elsewhere in the region.
Naga Mayor John Bongat also commended the former Police director for providing nearly 1,000 policemen who maintained order during the 9-day regional Penafrancia festivity in Naga City in September this year.
In Guinto’s valedictory address, he highlighted rare feats of heroism and dedication to work by men under his command, citing Cam.Sur Police director Senior Supt. Ramiro Bausa and Lagonoy Cam. Sur, Police Chief Insp.Layosa for their efforts to track-down a babysitter, who kidnapped a three month old baby in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila and brought the infant to Lagonoy town. He said, “It was not only a successful recovery operation, but a commitment to protect the most innocent in our society.”
Guinto also praised wounded policemen led by Police Chief Insp. Juancho Ibis who risked their lives in the line of duty while securing a convoy transporting PCOS machines in Bacon,Sorsogon during the May 2013 polls.(SONNY SALES)