In simple ceremonies at the Camp Olivas here Monday, outgoing PNP Chief Director Gener – al Ricardo Marquez in – stalled Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino as the new Central Luzon police head, succeeding Chief Supt. Rudy Lacadin who stepped down May 30 upon reaching the man – datory retirement age of 56.
Raised in Tarlac province, Aquino is a member of the Philip – pine Military Acade – my “Sandiwa” class of 1985. He had been as – signed mostly in south – ern Mindanao areas since he joined the po – lice organization. Prior to this newest posting, Aquino served as dep – uty regional director for Police Regional Office 11 which counted Duter – te’s Davao City within its area of jurisdiction.
On the incoming President’s campaign promise to crush drug trafficking and organized crime in his first three to six months in the presidency, Aquino vowed: “We will do our best to help our commander in chief meet his deadline and noble intentions to make this organization worthy of respect.”
In his opening statement at the turn-over rites at the multipurpose hall in Camp Olivas, Aquino laid down the framework of his Central Luzon watch, thus: “Peace and order initiatives, other law en – forcement functions and application with unique but time tested strate – gies, plus the PNP and AFP collaboration and interoperability would be the key in serving the people in this region.”
This, even as he paid credit to his predecessor Lacadin for his performance.
Lacadin served as the region’s top cop for over nine months. But the short time of his stay did not prevent him from “outstanding performance” that merited high praises from his su – periors, including Interi – or Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, and the Pampanga Press Club which hailed him as “Most Outstanding Capampangan in the field of Law Enforcement” at its 67th anniversary cel – ebrations last March.
The outgoing PNP chief also lauded Laca – din, thus: “Rudy’s action-filled nine-month stint in region 3 result – ed in the deaths of hard – ened street criminals, illegal drugs trafficking gangs, and other law – less elements who were killed in legitimate police operations.”
