A new police director is at the helm of the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office following the assumption of PCol. Edward Daya Quijano in a surprise move of the PNP Regional Office 5 last week.
He replaced former PD Col. Rayan Ador, who served in the post for just seven (7) months after being designated by Regional Director PBGen. Andre Perez Dizon last Jan. 5, 2024.
A natïve of Lucena City, Quezon province, Quijano is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class Buklod-Diwa of 2001 and was formerly assigned as chief of the District Operations & Plans Division at Manila Police District (MPD) at the time Dizon was district director.
He is a holder of a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration at the Philippine Public Safety College and a Master of Arts in Peace and Security Studies at Bicol University. He has also undergone various schoolings and training both here and abroad.
Aside from PBGen. Dizon, also present during the turnover ceremony at the Heroes Hall in Camp Francisco Camacho were Governor Joseph Cua, Regional Personnel and Records Management Division (RPRMD) chief PCol. Melvin Ricohermoso and Regional Operations Division (ROD) chief Col. Nelson Pacalso.
In his farewell address, Col. Ador thanked PBGen. Dizon for his trust and confidence in appointing him to the post and Gov. Cua for his continued support for the police, especially in the campaign to have Catanduanes declared as the first drug-free and insurgency-free province in Bicol.
The departing director, who was awarded the Medalya ng Kasanayan by the regional director for his efforts and given a plaque of recognition, will be the new chief of Regional Plans and Strategy Management Division (RPSMD).
PCol. Quijano, on the other hand, vowed to serve Catanduanes with unwavering dedication by fostering community partnerships and building bridges between the police and the community.
“Under my leadership, CATPPO personnel will be dedicated to providing service with Serbisyong Approachable, Presentable, and Dependable, in alignment with the principles set by RD Dizon,” he stressed as he promised to lead with an open mind and collaborative spirit.
He likewise introduced his guiding mantra “TEAM,” which stands for “Technically and Tactically proficient CATPPO personnel; Effective and Efficient police visibility and law enforcement operations; A: Always available for any police response and assistance, in line with the Chief PNP’s thrust program; and Make the province of Catanduanes safe and secure.”
In his remarks, Gov. Cua reiterated his administration’s full support to the police, citing the significant progress in advancing capabilities in the drive against proliferation of crimes.
“We shall maintain our strong support to CATPPO and PRO5 as we share the same collective vision and partake in the mission to serve and protect the citizenry,” the chief executive said.
PBGen. Dizon challenged the new police director to show his worth in Catanduanes even as he thanked the governor for his support which he said should be reciprocated by the local police’s alignment with his administration’s programs.
“Garantisado po ito,” he assured Catandunganons, adding that Quijano served under him when he was in Leyte as regional director and as operations officer at the 3,000-personnel Manila Police District when he was district director.