Hilomen replaces Bataoil as Ilocos police director

by Mar Supnad and Freddie Lazaro

CAMP GENERAL FLORENDO, La Union — Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, outgoing Region 1 police director, was designated Thursday as head of the directorate for police community relations at Camp Crame, Quezon City. Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen was designated to replace Bataoil as Ilocos Region police director.

In a message sent from Guanzhou City, China, Bataoil thanked the officers and men in Region 1 and local officials for their support for his programs during his stint, which earned for the Region 1 police office two awards as the "Best Regional Police Office."

"Effective today, I am designated as head of the Directorate for Police Community Relations in the national headquarters, a two-star rank position.

I will be replaced by my respected classmate General Hilomen, a fellow member of PMA class 1976," Bataoil stated in his text message sent to reporters. Bataoil pledged to help implement the "Mamang Pulis," a program of Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon.

Bataoil is noted for his innovative ideas and projects such as the "Teacher Ko, Pulis Ko," in which several policemen with teaching experience serve as teachers in remote barangays where there is no teacher. Bataoil is visiting China as head of a delegation of government officials upon the invitation of the Chinese government.

"As we have learned from our counterparts here, our PRO1 (Police Regional Office 1) program on ‘enforcing laws winning wars and touching people’s lives is much similar to their way of policing that makes a difference in modern peacekeeping."

"I assure PNP chief Director-General Avelino Razon and my mistahs, General Versoza and General Acuna and other classmates present at the turnover of my full support,"