PALO, Leyte (PIA) -- Police Brigadier General Bernard Mollanida Banac is the new regional director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas following a simple turnover ceremony held at the PRO-8 Grandstand on Monday, February 7.

Outgoing PRO-8 regional director, PBGen. Rommel Bernardo A. Cabagnot, has formally relinquished his post to the new regional director with the presence of PNP chief Police General Dionardo B. Carlos who graced the activity as guest of honor and speaker.

Banac is a pride of the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw Diwa” Class of 1992 and served as the former PNP spokesperson during the tenure of former PNP chief PBGen. Archie Gamboa.

In his speech, PGen. Carlos commended PBGen. Cabagnot for a job well done in the region even for a short period of time.

“Thank you for the sincere service you have rendered in the Waraynon warriors and of the entire Eastern Visayas,” Carlos said.

Cabagnot expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of PRO-8 saying, “Serving the PRO-8 although a bit short is indeed unparalleled. Working with you is beyond compare given your warmth and dedication which had me fueled all along.”

He likewise expressed his congratulatory message to PBGen. Banac as he asked everyone to continue supporting him.

“To PBGen. Banac, my warmest congratulations! I encourage everyone to continue to rally behind the leadership of your new RD,” Cabagnot said.

Banac, in response said, “I am deeply humbled being your new Regional Director, a position which entails a lot of hard work and determination. I just want to ask for your full support and cooperation under my command. I know there is never any short cuts to attain our common goals but with you by my side, we can literally make it.”

One of the highlights of the turnover ceremony is the conferment of awards and memento to the outgoing regional director.

Some of the PNP officials who also graced the activity were PLt. Gen. Bernabe M. Balba, area police commander for the Visayas; PMGen. Herminio S. Tadeo Jr., director for Personnel and Records Management; PMGen. Ronaldo E. Olay, director for Logistics; and PBGen. Jason D. Ortizo, director, PNP Chaplain Service, among others.

The heads of national government agencies in the region who witnessed the turnover ceremony were Regional Director Arnaldo E. Escober Jr. (DILG 8), Regional Director Maximo T. Lasaca (NAPOLCOM 8), Regional Director Rodolfo P. Denaga (BFP 8), and Regional Director Delvic L. Oreiro (BJMP 8). (LDL/CBA with reports from PRO 8)