CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Central Luzon police director BGen. Valeriano T. De Leon initiated major revamp affecting two police provincial directors in prime provinces in the region including Pampanga and Bulacan.
The booting out of Colonel Thomas Ibay (Pampanga) and Colonel Lawrence Cajipe (Bulacan) came ahead of the election ban or six months before the May polls.
Ibay was replaced by his classmate in the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 96 Colonel Roberto King Sarmiento, former Chief of Police of Paranaque City. He formally relinquished his post during a simple turn-over rites held at the Bale Katimawan situated within the compound of the Provincial Police Office Headquarters.
“Not much funfare but a simple turn-over ceremony,” said a duty police officer when asked of the event.
Ibay will be reporting to national police headquarters in Camp Crame.
Cajipe on the other hand was replaced by Colonel Manuel M. Lukban, Jr., in an acting capacity. Lukban was formerly the head of the Regional Investigation (R7) at Camp Olivas before he was re-assigned to National Capital Region Office (NCRPO).
Lukban was formerly the Chief of Police pf Malolos City.
“It’s a sort of homecoming for Lukban,” a policeman privy to the officer assignments stressed.
Cajipe will assume as Chief Regional Staff stationed at PRO3 headquarters.
The movement, De Leon said has nothing to do with the upcoming elections but a career advancement of some personnel whose promotion and assignments are due.