Thursday, July 24, 2008 Versoza is new Dagupan police chief
DAGUPAN City Mayor Alipio Fernandez said new City Police Chief Sonny Versoza assumed the office last Monday in acting capacity.
Versoza's predecessor, Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, was relieved last week after he was dragged in the shabu laboratory discovered in Naguilian in La Union Province.
Dante Tomas Palaganas, caretaker of the laboratory, claimed he was an asset of Borromeo when the police officer was group director of the Police Regional Mobile Group (RMG) 1.
Borromeo yet give any comment on the issue.
Likewise, Fernandez said he will not comment on the alleged involvement of Borromeo in the drug mess.
However, on policemen getting involved in illegal drugs, the mayor said: "That's the worst involvement as we are all trying to solve and eradicate substance abuse. Drugs destroy families and most of the heinous crimes were committed by people high in illegal drugs."
Fernandez said since he was elected mayor, he never lifted a finger nor interceded when he is being requested for help where illegal drug is involved.
The appointment of Versoza is good for one month.
Fernandez said he expects to receive the recommendation (containing three names) for city chief of police (or the replacement of Borromeo) from Police Provincial Director Isagani Nerez in two weeks.
He said he will never insist on any police officer to be the city chief of police.
Borromeo assumed as the city chief of police on August 6, 2007.
Prior to the Dagupan police chief post, Borromeo served as chief of RMG-1 in the Ilocos Region and chief of police of Caloocan.
Meanwhile, Task Force Bimmotobot, which is investigating the clandestine shabu laboratory, has already identified its maintainer.
Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, commander of the task force, said they are now conducting background investigation on the person whose name they did not divulge.
Gatan also revealed that aside from Borromeo, they are also looking into the possible involvement of three other policemen. (LCMY/Sunnex)
