Governor Roel Degamo gave his marching orders yesterday to newly-designated acting Philippine National Police provincial director, Senior Supt. Henry Biñas, to relentlessly pursue and prioritize the campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality in Negros Oriental.

 

Degamo gave the orders to Biñas, who paid a courtesy call on and met with the governor at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City about noon yesterday.

It was their first meeting after the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, designated Biñas as acting NORPPO director effective September 30.

Biñas said the meeting with the governor was brief with just general instructions given to him.

Degamo had emphasized to him that he wants the problem on illegal drugs eliminated, as well as with other forms of criminality, Biñas said.

There was no quota given, Biñas added.

Degamo, in an interview Monday afternoon, had reiterated that he wants the police to go after those involved in the illegal drugs trade, regardless of their status.

Without mentioning names, the governor specifically wants the police director to go after a congressman who he has repeatedly tagged as allegedly engaged in the illegal drugs business.

Degamo also assured that his administration will provide the support needed for the police to be able to effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities in combating criminality.

He said he thanked President Rodrigo Duterte personally in Bacolod City over the weekend for allowing him to choose the next provincial police director.

Meanwhile, Biñas met with his staff officers yesterday afternoon for a briefing on the criminality and peace and order situation in Negros Oriental.

He said he would soon be calling for a command conference with the police chiefs and other unit heads this week to discuss problems, concerns and other matters in their areas of assignment.

Biñas said a possible turnover of the command will be held Friday if PNP-NIR regional director, Chief Supt. Renato Gumban, will come for his first visit to Negros Oriental.

He also assured that there would not be an immediate reshuffling of police chiefs in the province.

“My leadership style is more of mentoring,” Biñas explained.

He said he believes at giving a person another chance to perform better, and assured that for now, he will not be imposing a quota of at least three arrests per day or else a police chief will be relieved from his current post.

Biñas is a lawyer and has held various positions before being assigned to Negros Oriental as the NORPPO director. The province of Negros Oriental, he said, is not new to him, having been deployed here from 1995 to 1998 when he was assigned to the 2nd Company of the then PNP Regional Mobile Force, now known as the Regional Public Safety Battalion.*JFP