Police Col. Jonathan Abella has assumed the post as acting director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) following the Assumption of Office ceremony Sept. 1, at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.
The ceremony was presided over by P/Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, and witnessed by the Command Group, regional and personal staff, and other officers and personnel of PRO-NIR.
Abella is expected to build on the province’s existing peace and security efforts while ensuring that police personnel remain disciplined, professional, and committed to their duties.
He will also oversee the implementation of police programs and operations across Negros Oriental, and to work closely with stakeholders in addressing the concerns of the communities, the PRO-NIR said.
Cardiño congratulated Abella and emphasized that his new assignment comes with greater responsibility and accountability, and told him to lead with fairness and decisiveness, understand the challenges facing the province, and maintain strong partnerships with local government units, other agencies, and, most importantly, the communities they serve.
He also urged the men and women of NORPPO to give Abella their full cooperation and support, emphasizing that the success of a command depends on the collective effort of its personnel.
“The direction of PRO Negros Island Region is clear: we must work together towards a safe NIR, where every community feels secure and every citizen has confidence that the police are ready to respond whenever they are needed. Public safety is not merely about responding to crime, but also about being present and ready when the people call for help,” Cardiño said in a statement.
Abella is called upon to lead with integrity, decisiveness, and a strong sense of duty. His leadership will be vital in keeping the provincial police force united, responsive, and ready to address the needs of the people of Negros Oriental while continuing to build their trust and confidence in the police.
He was previously assigned at the Directorate for Police Community Relations, where he gained experience in strengthening police-community engagement and promoting a responsive and people-centered approach to police service.
He now brings this experience to his new assignment, where he will lead the Negros Oriental PPO in maintaining peace and order, addressing security concerns, and ensuring that police services remain responsive to the needs of the people, the PRO-NIR added. ||
