LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA5/Albay)--The ceremonial turnover of Police Regional Office Bicol (PRO5) to PBGen. Westrimundo D. Obinque from PBGen. Rudolph B. Dimas was presided over by the PNP Chief PBGen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. It was held at Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

PBGen. Obinque , the 41st regional director of PRO5 is a native of Pangasinan and former Deputy Director for Comptrollership and former RD of Police Regional Office 1.

‘’As I hand over the reign to my successor I want to express my utmost  confidence in his abilities to lead this unit to even greater heights. I ask that you give him the same support and cooperation that you have given me and continue to work as a team to achieve common goals and help him successfully carry out his plans for PRO5,’’ outgoing RD of PRO5 and now Director of Special Action Force PBGen. Dimas said.

Obinque commended the accomplishments of PBGen Dimas in his speech.

‘’The standard set by my predecessor PBGen. Dimas upon the marching order of the chief PNP is highly commendable,’’ Obinque said.

 ‘’This also means that I am assuming this office under huge and immense expectations,’’ he added.

Outgoing RD accomplishments

Under the leadership of the former PRO5 RD Dimas, he intensified the campaign against illegal drugs wherein 675 individuals were arrested, with 617 operations conducted. These operations also  led to the confiscation of more than 458 grams of marijuana, and 10,951.20671 grams of shabu amounting to PHP 74, 566, 525.

Further, his campaign against wanted criminals resulted to the arrest of  3,559 criminals. HIs other campaigns also gained ground as he was able to confiscate 755 assorted loose firearms,  arrested 64 CTG members , confiscated 90 firearms , and seized 42 explosives. During his stewarship, 133 CTGs surrendered. He also pursued campaign against illegal logging and illegal fishing.

It was also presented during the ceremony that  the region’s public safety indicator has increased by 21.58% while PRO5  was also nominated  over 16 other PROs in the country on its unit performance evaluation  rating for Nov. 2022, topping the list with 96.47 percentage rating.

He also launched the  project Road to K, an advocacy which intends to foster camaraderie to fight lawlessness and criminalities by encouraging the public to engage in a healthier and fun way like cycling. It  also promotes health and the environmental benefit of cycling such as the reduction of air pollution.

He also launched the Project Tabang sa Aki na Nangangaipo, Ginhawa asin Liwanag Ang maitatao para Wakasan ang pagtios, Giya sa Pag-asenso (TANGLAW), implementation of  Fight Insurgency Via Education (FIVE) and others.

‘’It has been an honor to serve you,’’ PBGen. Dimas said.

PBGen Dimas held the  RD  position of PRO5 for almost six (6) months.

‘’To PBGen. Dimas, you truly serve recognition as you have shown dedication in extending genuine public service and encouraging your subordinates to be at their best in reducing crime rates and fighting members of criminal groups and insurgence here in Bicol region,’’ PNP Chief PBGen. Azurin said.

41st PROV RD PBGen Obinque’s oath

‘’All the foregoing, I intend to continue what PBGen Dimas has started, PRO5 is sailing smoothly hence there is no reason to rock the boat. I urge all of you to continue doing your task with utmost dedication, honesty and enthusiasm,’’ PBGen Obinque said.

He said that he will also strengthen the Malasakit, Kaayusan at Kapayapaan tungo sa Kaunlaran (MKK=K) at Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan (KASIMBAYANAN) programs.

Obinque highlighted that,’’discipline is the bridge between goal and accomplishments.’’

He stressed that ‘’proper discipline’’ is the center of a more organized community and police authorities.

‘’We have our internal cleansing program in different platforms such as the Squad Weekly Interactive Meeting (SWIM) and we have also involved faith based organizations to help us instill discipline,’’ PBGen. Obinque said.

Obinque noted that the safety of every individual is significant in every situation.

‘’Primordial consideration is always safety first in all our undertaking, one casualty is all too many,’’ he noted.

‘’To PBGen. Obinque, continue to uphold the police force in every corner of Bicolandia from Regional Office to provincial offices and remote police stations,’’  Azurin said.

‘’Now to both of you as you begin a new chapter in your respective careers, the new challenges and bigger responsibilities ahead  will hone you to be the best that you can be,’’ Azurin said addressing PBGen Dimas and PBGen. Obinque.

Cover photo courtesy of: PNP Kasurog Bicol