After almost two months of having an officer-in-charge, a new chief for the Laoag City Philippine National Police (PNP) had been installed.

Superintendent Reynante Perdible was recently chosen by Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas as the new city PNP chief effectively ending the tenure of Superintendent Danilo Garcia as the Laoag City police’s officer-in-charge.

Garcia took over from relieved Laoag City PNP chief Joel D. Pagdilao, who was implicated in the alleged cover-up of the killing of Laoag City Vice Mayor Jimmy O. Chua on February 2.

Perdible officially took over on April 18 after a simple turnover ceremony held at the Laoag City Hall right after the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Ilocos Norte PNP Director Juan G. Luna.

In his acceptance speech, Perdible urged the cooperation of everyone in the fight against criminality as he said he believes the PNP would not perform well without the public’s cooperation.

Perdible also did not make any promises during his speech stressing that promises “may be broken sometimes.”

The new city police chief also appealed to the local tri-media to be fair in their reportage as he said he considered the members of the press as “partners and not as oppressors.”

Meanwhile, in his speech during the same event, Fariñas clarified that he did not choose Perdible as the new city PNP chief because he shares the same hometown with the newly hired civil security chief.

He explained that he chose Perdible over other contenders based on what the law stated and he added that he admired the new police chief’s accomplishments, achievements and track record in his previous assignments.

However, Fariñas also mentioned that he also appreciated the accomplishments of the other contenders for the city PNP chief post.

Other police officers who vied for the post were Superintendents Nestor Felix, Alejandro Cabebe, Benjamin Lusad and Garcia.

Perdible had already served in the city PNP before as he was an administrative officer in 1984. He had since been assigned to different police stations in and out of Ilocos Norte.

Immediately before he was named the city PNP chief, Perdible was the Solsona PNP chief in 2003. He later became the administrative officer of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) before he was installed as the new Laoag PNP chief.

Meanwhile, Luna said Perdible would fit nicely as the new city police chief, noting his integrity and leadership which he had previously displayed.

With Perdible at the helm, Luna said he believes the illegal drug network in the city would be totally eradicated as he hopes this would be among the new city police chief’s priorities.

Luna also vowed to assign more police officers in the city as it is facing severe manpower problems following the relief and transfer of several PNP officers implicated in the Chua murder case.

Luna also called on the city’s barangay tanods to cooperate in maintaining the peace and order situation.

Dominic B. dela Cruz