• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Aug. 14 that, with the support of the city government and Bacolodnons, more police stations could be established in the highly-urbanized city.
Coronica, during his official appearance before members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod at their regular session yesterday afternoon, said that based on his initial assessment, the additional police stations could be put up in barangays Vista Alegre and Fortune Towne.
He said he will check with the National Police Commission the parameters and requirements on putting up additional cop stations in Bacolod, noting that when he was the director of the Iloilo City Police Office, he was able to add four more to the existing six stations of the ICPO, prior to his transfer to the BCPO last month.
The BCPO has 941 active personnel and 10 police stations, said Coronica, who assumed as OIC of the city police last July 23.
He said that, as a Bacolodnon, he is happy to be back here after 17 years, adding he was assigned in Bacolod from 2005-2007, first as chief of the BCPO Intelligence and Investigation Branch, and then as commander of police stations 3 and 1.
“As a Bacolodnon, and a native of Candoni, I am looking forward to work with you all on matters of mutual concern to make sure that this city will be safer to live and do business,” Coronica told the SP.
He admitted that he has big shoes to fill, as his predecessor, Col. Noel Aliño, had accomplished much. “(But) rest assured that I will do my best.”
Under Coronica’s watch, the BCPO has strengthened the campaign against illegal drugs, conducting a series of buy-bust operations that netted millions of pesos worth of suspected shabu.
The biggest drug haul, so far, was on Aug. 13, when operatives of the BCPO Police Station 1, Drug Enforcement Unit, and Intelligence Unit seized from a high-value individual about six kilos of suspected shabu, with an estimated market value of P41.3 million, in Purok Malipayon, Barangay 35, Bacolod.
Coronica has also announced a possible monetary reward for witnesses, who can provide vital information leading to the resolution of cases.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation with the community, especially in the campaign against illegal drugs, shooting incidents, robbery, theft, and other illegal activities in Bacolod, and hopes that during his term, he could motivate personnel “to do more to make Bacolod safe to live and do business.” | CGC
