By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Former Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) Director, Police Senior Superintendent William Señoron, said he will shoot himself in front of the regional police office if the allegations made by former Berya drug group member Ricky Serenio are proven true.
In a press conference yesterday, Señoron said he is open to an investigation into claims made by Serenio that he was the recipient of protection money from local drug lords.
“I challenge the investigators to make a truthful probe that I have links [and] have received protection money from drug lords, and even their accusations of my involvement in illegal gambling,” he affirmed.
Señoron has also vehemently denied any involvement with slain Iloilo drug lord Melvin Odicta, Sr., adding the allegation itself is already too much.
He stated, in the view of public opinion, he has already lost because of their perceptions of the case.
“The moment you are relieved due to drugs, the people will start looking at you negatively, including your family, and, even if you are exonerated, people will still look at you because you were investigated for drugs,” the former NOPPO chief added.
Señoron said he does not believe his removal was politically motivated, but rather the result of a grudge from Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña.
The former provincial police director was responsible in gathering the intelligence to raid Peña’s residence in 2013.
Peña later filed charges against Señoron, claiming the explosives and firearms recovered in his residence were planted.
While awaiting the outcome of the investigation, Señoron said he will follow orders by Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) reassigning him to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU).
Following his relief, he said Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. called him to say he was surprised by the development.
Señoron has since been replaced by Police Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda, who is currently the acting director of NOPPO./WDJ