A day after announcing reassignment, PNP keeps Ferro as Central Visayas chief

Brigadier General Albert Ferro confirmed Wednesday, September 9, that he would remain as the head of Police Regional Office-7 (Central Visayas) .

“I leave it to CPNP’s wisdom wherever he sees I can best serve and to this end – me as a good soldier can only follow whatever the CPNP orders,” said Ferro via text message to Rappler.

By CPNP, Ferro was referring to General Camilo Cascolan, chief of the PNP.

Ferro said that the decision to let him stay as head of PRO-7 was most likely to allow him to continue handling the pandemic in Central Visayas.

“It might be because of what we did and continue to do in addressing the pandemic here in the region. Most especially that we seem to have contained the spread to manageable level. I can certainly see our CPNP’s commitment that we continue to sustain this development,” Ferro said.

Earlier in June, Cebu City was the area outside of Metro Manila with the highest number of coronavirus cases. But this has changed and now the city has under 400 active cases.

Just a day before Ferro’s confirmation of his retention, Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo also confirmed that he would be the new Central Visayas police chief.

The PNP even came out with a press release on Tuesday, September 8, about Estomo’s new posting.

However, Estomo himself on Wednesday took it back and confirmed to Rappler that there had been changes in the decision.

Estomo remained as head of the PNP’s anti-kidnapping group, while Ferro stayed as PNP Central Visayas head.

When asked by Rappler, Estomo did not explain the reason for the PNP’s withdrawing the new assignments less than 24 hours after announcing them.

The PNP’s press release on Tuesday, which was lated invalidated, said that the Ferro would be the next director of Integrated Police Operations for Southern Luzon.

Before becoming PRO-7’s top cop, Ferro used to command the PNP’s Drug Enforcement Group (DEG). He also served as a Davao commander and head of investigation. – Rappler.com