KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 20 Nov)– A South Cotabato native was installed as the new police provincial director on Wednesday vice another fellow South Cotabateño, who was at odds with the rookie governor.
Col. Jemuel Siason replaced Col. Joel Limson in a ceremony presided by Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) director, at the South Cotabato gymnasium here.
Corpus expressed confidence on Siason to lead the police force in the province.
“I expect the new provincial police director to be at par or even exceed the achievement of his predecessor,” Corpus told reporters.
During the turnover rites, Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. was represented by his executive assistant, Rudy Jimenea.
The governor said earlier in the morning that he requested higher police headquarters to assign Siason, who is the PRO-12 chief for operations, to the province.
“With PD (police director) Siason, we will strive to enhance the province’s peace and order situation and intensify the fight against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality,” Tamayo said.
Siason vowed to give his best in adherence to the police organization’s motto of “to serve and to protect.”
“I will strengthen the police’s relationship with the community. The citizenry is important to help maintain the peace and order situation,” he said, thanking Tamayo for trusting his capability.
Seeking the support of the public, Siason also pledged to rid the provincial police office of erring personnel and to intensify the fight against criminality, especially illegal drugs.
The new provincial police director is the son of the late South Cotabato board member Eduardo Siason and the older brother of the police chief of this city, Lt. Col. Joefel Siason.
Tamayo and Limson quarreled publicly last September following attempts by gambling operators to resume the operation of small town lottery (STL) in the province.
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended lotto and STL operations in July due to “massive corruption.” He lifted the suspension in August.
Limson was appointed by former governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, whom Tamayo defeated in the May 2019 polls.
Despite their animosity, Tamayo said that Limson “also performed well in his job.” (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)