Wednesday, September 24, 2008

New PNP Chief Jesus Versoza

 By committing to continuing what his predecessor has started, incoming police chief Jesus Versoza is now "bound" to push for the review and repeal of the controversial law on youthful offenders. 

  Versoza, who was police deputy director for administration before being appointed to replace Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Razon, has been quoted in previous interviews as saying he would continue what the general [Razon] has started. 

  General Versoza replaces General Razon, who retires at the mandatory age of 56, September 27.  

  Earlier, Razon, when interviewed by Bohol media openly admitted the PNP and the National police Commission is into a continuing advocacy for review or repeal of the juvenile justice law, "so we could address on the rise of youthful offenders. 

  He admitted that the police leadership has already made representations in Congress about the law. 

  "Ginagawa na po," Razon reminded the media during a press conference in Bohol last week. 

  As to the integrated police transformation program, which Razon implemented, cops believe it would be no big deal for Versoza who has been an exemplary police administrator. 

  He is one of the key personnel directly supervising the program that has elevated the sagging image of the country's police into number 6 best performing government agency, PCSupt Ronaldo Roderos said last week.  

  Versoza would be installed in simple ceremonies at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself officiating the rites, revealed Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.   

  "The President is precisely coming (back on the 27th) to officiate the turnover (ceremonies)," Ermita stressed. 

  Versoza will be the 15th chief of the PNP since its conversion on Jan. 29, 1991 from the now defunct Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to its present status as a civilian police organization. 

  Versoza, whose three-star rank is equivalent to lieutenant general in the AFP, is currently the deputy PNP chief for administration. 

  A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976, he formerly headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after serving as director of PNP-Region IV. - PIA Chiu

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