PRO-1 welcomes Orduña: New RD

*He succeeds newly-retired BGen. Sapitula

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) welcomed its new head as outgoing regional director BGen. Romulo E. Sapitula relinquished his post to BGen. Joel S. Orduña.

In a turn-over ceremony at PRO1 Grandstand here on Thursday, April 25, Orduña accepted the challenge of leading the police force of Region 1 as Sapitula retired from service.

Orduña was previously the director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group before his new stint as the PRO1 acting regional director.

In his inaugural message, Orduña reminded the uniformed men and women under his command “to exercise vigilance, remain apolitical and non-partisan and their duty to safeguard the Filipino votes” in the upcoming midterm election.

He also directed the provincial directors and police chiefs “to instill discipline and conduct random and surprise inspections in their areas to ensure operational readiness and presence of men on ground to respond to any eventuality.”

Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, chief of the PNP directorial staff, led the turn-over of the regional command attended by the provincial directors, PNP officers, representatives of PNP Academy Tagapagtangol Class of 1986 and Maringal Class of 1998, heads of government agencies, provincial officials, and family members of the two generals.

Cascolan challenged Orduña of accountability and responsibility, enhancing the relationship of the police and community and becoming a role model to all the personnel.

Meanwhile, in his valedictory message, Sapitula gave his honor and recognition to all the men and women of PRO1 for all their efforts and sacrifices, big and small.

Sapitula served the police service for a total of 34 years and 11 months and one year and four months as PRO1 chief.

Highlighting the event was the pass-in-review of the uniformed men and women held at the grandstand here. (Joanna P. Diaz-Sabado/PIA-1, La Union)