Santiago turns over NCRPO to Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leocadio Santiago on Friday finally left his post and turned it over to Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome.

Santiago turned over the post to Bartolome during a ceremony held at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan.

Bartolome is leaving his post as Calabarzon [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon] regional police chief.

Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. said Thursday that aside from Bartolome, Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao of the police's Western Visayas regional police office, was also being eyed for the post.

Pagdilao, meanwhile, has been appointed director of the Calabarzon police regional office.

Santiago was ordered relieved by Philippine National Police chief Raul Bacalzo after Malacañang ordered the filing of an administrative complaint against him over the botched negotiations for the August 23 Manila hostage crisis, which left 8 Hong Kong tourists dead.

Santiago's relief was not immediately implemented as the police leadership had to ask permission from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) because of the existing election ban on appointments.

Bacalzo had said that Santiago was relieved from the NCRPO because he needs to prepare for the administrative complaint.

“The relief is done to ensure I have full time to focus on the investigation when the investigation body wanted me any time of the day I'd be available and not be cumbered by any responsibilities,” Santiago said.

ABS CBN