Dumaguete City police chief, C/Insp. Manuel Hidalgo, is being eyed for the position of Oriental Negros police deputy provincial director.

Provincial director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe wrote Mayor Agustin Perdices that Hidalgo will be reassigned to the provincial command, and gave the mayor a list of five officers from which to choose a replacement.

In the list are P/Supt. Deonard Carlos, P/Supt. Alet Virtucio, P/Supt. Roy Abella, C/Insp. Reynold Andot and C/Insp. Julius Muñez.

The mayor, however, said he has no personal knowledge of the qualifications and background of the recommendees, adding that he is banking on the recommendations of Buenafe, whose preference is P/Supt. Deonard Carlos of the PNP regional office.

The tentative turnover of command is set next week, sources at the provincial command said.

Perdices said Buenafe wanted the city of Dumaguete to become a showcase in terms of maintaining peace and order, and that, he is fielding an officer with whom he can work, with the approval of the mayor.

Hidalgo has his strengths and weaknesses like any other officers, Perdices said but added that he was just unfortunate to have during his stint a number of unresolved crimes, among them the murder of former city treasurer Erlinda Tumongha, the death of a Fil-American national, and, the most recent, the killing of Angeling Lajato, he added. Perdices said he told P/Supt Carlos that he listens to excuses, but he prefers results.*JG

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