B/Gen. De Jesus retires from service
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON,PALO,Leyte-The region’s more than 12,000 police personnel have a new police regional director in B/Gen. Rommel Bernardo Cabagnot who assumed his post on Wednesday (August 4).
Cabagnot, who was the chief regional staff of the PNP-National Capital Region, replaces B/Gen. Ronaldo De Jesus, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.
In his speech during the turn-over rites held at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Palo town, Leyte, the newly-assumed police regional director said that he would focus on the solution of criminals and even members of the New People’ Army(NPAs).
He also issued a warning to erring police personnel, saying he would ‘hunt them down.’
“Let everyone be known on my strong desire to go against scalawag or erring police officers. Ayoko ng nangongotong; sangkot sa illegal na droga, gumamit man o nagbebenta or nagpro-protekta. For there will be no mercy on these scalawags for this organization. I will hunt you down,” he said.
Cabagnot said that the region is not actually new to him as he once served as the police provincial director of Samar in 2015.
He admitted that his becoming the region’s top cop is ‘the realization of his dream.’
His wife, Marisol Abdurahman, a news reporter of GMA-7, hails from Catbalogan City.
Meantime, former police director De Jesus expressed his gratitude for serving the people of Eastern Visayas, especially during this time of pandemic.
De Jesus was the region’s top cop from September, 2020 until August 4, which falls on his 56th birthday.
During his stint, more than 600 individuals with criminal records, to include rebel members, were arrested or have surrendered.
It was also during his administration that the PNP-8’s human rights office was adjudged as the best in the country.
Police Lt/Gen.Bernabe Balba, commander, Area Police Command for the Visayas, represented Police National Director General Guillermo Eleazar during the more than two-hour turnover rites.
Among those present were Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Southern Leyte Vice Gov. Christopherson Yap, Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla, Balangkayan Mayor Allan Contado, representing Eastern Samar Gov. and chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council Ben Evardone, and other government and Army officials.
