The new officer-in-charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office assumed office yesterday, even if his order was dated January 8, or two days before the election ban on the transfer, promotion and hiring of government personnel.

 

Senior Supt. Harris Fama of Class 1990 of the Philippine National Police Academy and Class 228 of the Federal Bureau of Investigation paid a courtesy call on Gov. Roel Degamo at the old session hall of the Capitol in Dumaguete City, accompanied by police chiefs and unit commanders, and Senior Supt. Dionard Carlos, his predecessor, who also made an exit call on the governor, yesterday afternoon.

Degamo received Fama and expressed optimism that he will serve well, based on the credentials he presented, while thanking Carlos for having served the province for six months.

Degamo reiterated that his first order for the day for Fama is the executive order he had previously issued directing Carlos to undertake an aggressive campaign against all forms of criminality in the province.

The governor, when asked if he was happy with Carlos’ accomplishments, admitted that he could have done better but he added he is contented with his performance.

Fama said he considered his new assignment a dream come true, it being his first assignment in the Visayas region, particularly in Negros Oriental.

He had been in Mindanao and in Luzon holding different positions previously, he said.

He started as a platoon commander, company commander, chief of police in different areas in Mindanao and Luzon, former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 5 and OIC provincial commander in Camarines Norte before his assignment in Negros Oriental.

With his track record of solving problems and running after illegal gambling operators, drug personalities and other criminal elements, Fama is expected to make things happen in Negros Oriental as far.

Fama said this is a challenge considering Police Regional Office -18 is the newest police regional command and that he will be part of the history of the province as the first OIC provincial director of NORPPO under PRO-18 or the Negros Island Region.

He explained that he is fortunate to be among the number of police superintendents who are given new assignments all over the country and that it is also good for his predecessor who is being promoted by assignment to PRO-7.

Fama, however, said no matter how good a leader is, without the cooperation of his people he would be useless as he sought the help and cooperation of the men in uniform.

Just like in investigating crimes, cases filed will not prosper unless witnesses come to the open, including the help and cooperation of the media, he pointed out.

Fama also said one of his priorities after assuming office would be to gear up for the coming May 9 elections.*JG/JFP