IN ANOTHER shocker, Colonel Hansel Marantan was appointed as the acting director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), effective Wednesday, July 10.
This marked the third leadership change within 24 hours.
Col. Sherwin Butil was designated as the officer-in-charge, replacing Col. Lito Patay, who assumed the position earlier this morning. Col. Patay is now the chief of the Regional Operations Division of Police Regional Office XI.
Col. Patay lasted four hours as the DCPO chief before he was replaced.
Meanwhile, Butil was only the OIC for five hours before the latest directive. He did not even get the chance to meet the DCPO personnel, unlike Patay.
These rapid changes have also resulted in a shuffling of other key positions within the police force. Col. Alberto Lupaz, the former chief of the Regional Operations Division, is now the chief of the Regional Information and Communications Technology Management Division.
Major Catherine Dela Rey, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office XI, confirmed these changes.
“I cannot provide reasons or details about the turn of events. Only Camp Crame can answer why they issued a directive to make Police Col Hansel Marantan the acting city director,” Dela Rey said in an interview on Thursday afternoon.
Col. Lito Patay was designated around 12 p.m., but four hours later, Col Sherwin Butil was named officer-in-charge. However, his order was terminated several hours later, and a new directive from the Chief of the PNP directed the regional director of PRO XI to designate Col Hansel Marantan as the acting city director of the DCPO.
The PRO XI waited for the order for Col Marantan to be relieved from his previous assignment in the Area Police Command in Southern Luzon and transferred to PRO XI. Upon receiving the order, they designated him as the acting city director of the DCPO.
When asked if the DCPO expects another change of leadership after the appointment of Col Marantan, Dela Rey said that as of now, it is final, but it will still depend on the command.
“Just like what I’ve said, officers may come and go. As of now, there is no information that Col Marantan was relieved. He is still the acting city director of the Davao City Police Office, effective July 10.”
However, as of this writing, Dela Rey said they are still waiting for the arrival of Col Marantan for the assumption of office ceremony.
“There will be a ceremony for that,” she added. “He’s not yet in Davao.” She added he would be coming anytime.
Moreover, Dela Rey reiterated that the movement of the PNP has no political motive and is purely work-related and not personal.
“The community in Davao City should not worry because the programs and activities of the DCPO will continue. If the new city director has additional programs, he can implement them,” she further said.
