Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Ecija top cop given 3 months to improve peace and order

PALAYAN CITY -- Newly installed Nueva Ecija police director, Senior Supt. Agrifino Javier, has three months to reshape the peace and order situation in the province, following the series of assassinations after the May polls, that is if the provincial governor would have his way.

In his first day in office, Gov. Aurelio Umali underscored that he has every intention to rewrite the political history of Nueva Ecija, particularly the elimination of political violence.

Javier, who took over the helm of the Nueva Ecija provincial police office on June 30, is reportedly the personal choice of Umali. A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985, Javier is perceived to be efficient at solving crimes having served at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Umali said he wants the police to solve not only the recent killings because its “closure will not be enough to allay fears.”

Javier admitted that he received a similar directive from the PNP chief, Director General Oscar Calderon, which is to solve the series of violence.

Among the victims of assassination after the May 14 election were Mayor-elect Alfredo Vendivil and Vice-Mayor-elect Virgilio Vendivil of Lupao town, First Nueva Ecija Engineering district engineer Pacifico Berin, barangay captain Miguel Sta. Ana, village watchman Florentino Alberto Jr. and Victor Ramos, all of Barangay Dos, Quezon.

Last Monday night municipal engineer Mauro Balajadia, 47, of Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, was killed by still unidentified suspect. Investigation showed the victim was about to enter his compound riding a car (CRR-675) when repeatedly shot by two motorcycle-riding suspects about 10:30. Javier said they have some new leads to the killings in Quezon but he refused to elaborate further lest their ongoing investigation be jeopardized. --Armand M. Galang (The Manila Times)

No comments: