Three Ilocos region police chiefs replaced

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The police directors of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and San Fernando City in La Union were replaced last week as part of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s preparations for the May elections.

The reshuffle was made a day before the start of the election period, which was on Sunday.

Senior Supt. Rolando Saltat of the Pangasinan police was replaced by Senior Supt. Edgar Allan Okubo, formerly of the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) police intelligence division.

Senior Supt. Nestor Felix of Ilocos Sur was replaced by Senior Supt. Reynaldo Tamondong, formerly of the regional police investigation division.

Saltat and Felix were transferred to the PRO-1 headquarters based in this province.

Superintendent Julius Suriben of the San Fernando City police was replaced by Superintendent Bryant Demot, formerly of the provincial public safety company based in Tayug, Pangasinan.

Suriben was assigned as chief of the La Union police intelligence division based in Camp Diego Silang.

Local polls here are expected to be peaceful since there is no opponent of reelectionist governor Ryan Singson, son of political kingpin former governor Chavit Singson.

Tamundong paid a courtesy call Monday on the former governor who also expressed his support to the new police director of Ilocos Sur. -- Jun Elias, Eva Visperas and MydsSupnad