“IF only to eradicate once and for all the drug menace in the city, I want (Jovie) Espenido to be the next police city director here.”
This was the statement made by Mayor-elect Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy of Cagayan de Oro during an interview at his residence in Carmen over the weekend.
Uy said he is hoping that police high-ranking officials at Camp Crame will consider Espenido as among the recommended police chiefs in the city if, in case of the current head, Police Col. Aaron Mandia will end his assignment here.
Espinedo, who has the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine National Police (PNP), is a police officer known as a crusader for anti-illegal drugs.
He became controversial after he led the raid at the residence of Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo ‘Aldong’ Parohinog early Sunday, July 30, 2017.
During the said operation, Parohinog was killed with 15 others including his wife Susan, brother Octavio Jr, and sister Mona.
“Ako lang nang gusto nga si Espenido ang mamahimong hepe sa kapolisan diri but, of course, ang Crame gihapon atong hulatan pinaagi diri sa Camp Alagar kung apilon ba nila sa ilang recommendation ang maong opisyal sa sa pulis. Maayo man gud si Espenido kay sa ngalan pa lang daan mahadlok na ang mga kriminal hilabi na niadtong nahilambigit sa gidiling druga,” Uy said.
In line with the said problem, Uy said he will still continue the drug rehabilitation program of President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said as one of the priorities of his administration, he said he will create a team that would solely focus on it.
Meanwhile, Uy said one of the things that he would do once he will start working as the new chief executive, is the total revamp all key positions, especially the finance department, including department heads at city hall.
When asked whether he already has people to replace the current officials, Uy said he could not yet reveal their names.
“Ang akong buhaton mao sa ang pagtan-aw sa status sa panalapi sa syudad para diha na dayon ko mag basi sa akong pagahimoon nga mga programa,” Uy said.
