NAGA CITY -- Two major changes in the police organization here were announced this week.

        The city has been upgraded into a separate police district from being under the administrative and operational supervision of Camarines Sur Provincial Police District—becoming the first city in the region to be a separate police district.

        The new Naga City Police District is now directly under Philippine National Police Region 5 Office, and is expected to have greater number of enforcers.

        Also, Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Garcia Nemenzo, 46, finally assumed office as the new police director after a month-long delay in his designation.

        Nemenzo was quick to point out however that City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo is yet to confirm his appointment.

        The police director’s takeover came amidst issues of demoralization and weakening of police force in the city.

        Months ago, rash of criminal activities blamed on weakened police force had gripped the city—prompting city officials to bring the matter to the national government.

        But Nemenzo told Bicol Mail that the elevation of the city into a separate police district is not largely because of those past incidences of criminality.

        Nemenzo said the city is becoming more urbanized and heavily populated, making it deserving to be detached from Camarines Sur Police District, now under Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Romeo Tambungui.

        A native of Negros, the newly-installed police director told Bicol Mail he still has to familiarize himself with Bicol though he is used to being detailed anywhere.

        He said he knew the local politics but assured he would stay away from political clouts.

        He said as a law enforcer, he is bound ‘to serve and not be served.’

        He vowed to bring back the morale of enforcers here and get rid of illegal gambling operations and other illegal activities through full enforcement of the marching orders of the Philippine National Police.