BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he expects incoming Bacolod Police Director P/Col. Manuel Placido to implement health protocols whatever the quarantine status of the city is.
“Our priority is still COVID-19 while the anti-illegal drugs campaign and peace and order will come as a natural course of his function in his office,” the mayor said.
Placido replaced P/Col. Henry Biñas, who was transferred to the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group in Camp Crame as chief of directorial staff.
Leonardia said the fight against COVID-19 is a “specialized field” and he wants Placido to take a good look at it as there are areas where they are supposed to be as effective as they can be in the implementation and cooperation of the people in terms of following basic health protocols.
He said Placido is personally known to PNP Chief P/Gen. Camilo Cascolan.
“I’m banking on his (Cascolan) endorsement that he is good material,” Leonardia said.
The mayor said Cascolan has promised that Placido would be arriving but his flight was cancelled.
Placido came from the Civil Security Group based in Crame. He and Biñas are members of the Philippine National Police Academy class of 1955.*