The turnover of command, which took place at the PRO 7 headquarters along Osmeña Boulevard on Thursday, October 13, 2022, was presided by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
Vega thanked the personnel of the PRO 7 for making his job easy because of their hard work.
He pointed out that during his stint of one year and two weeks, the PRO 7 seized P1.1 billion worth of illegal drugs and locked up many most wanted persons in the region.
He was most proud of the peaceful and successful national and local elections on May 9, which passed without major incidents.
Alba, for his part, was grateful to be chosen as Vega’s replacement, saying he would do everything to match his predecessor’s many accomplishments.
He said the four C’s he would implement as programs would be connectivity, critical thinking, capability enhancement and cleansing in community and service-oriented policing.
He said he would continue the campaign against illegal drugs, adding that his aim and intention were to further improve police service to the public and continue the programs implemented by Vega.
“We are one. The battle cry of the governors, particularly (Cebu) Governor Gwen (Garcia), is the war against illegal drugs. So on the part of the PNP, it will be on a different level as guided by the chief PNP that we follow the rule of law but sometimes armed confrontations cannot be avoided. But as much as possible we avoid the loss of life,” Alba said in a mix of English and Tagalog.
On Thursday morning, Alba presided over his first command conference that was attended by all city and provincial police office directors, including chiefs of other police units in Central Visayas, where he laid out his programs.
He ordered them to continue what they had started in areas that had been declared drug-cleared.
Meanwhile, General Azurin ordered the new PRO 7 director to strive to add to the number of barangays declared drug-cleared with the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Azurin said Alba should continue the momentum already started by Vega and focus on crime prevention and crime solution since Central Visayas is one of the country’s economic centers that deserve protection from criminal elements.
The general explained that a peaceful and stable place attracts investors and tourists that boost its economy.
Azurin said he was confident Alba would be up to the challenges ahead, especially since the latter was known to be hardworking and good at his job.
Before becoming director of PRO 7, Alba was the chief of the PNP Public Information Office.
Alba is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy “Tagapagpatupad” Class of 1992. (AYB / PJB)