By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is currently reviewing five new candidates for Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director.
During a press conference this week, Leonardia said he received a list directly from Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, which includes current BCPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky.
Leonardia said he is content with Wanky’s performance this year, but stated he wants the current director to solve the problem of illegal drugs in Bacolod City, before formally appointing him as city director.
“On the basis of the announcement by [President Rodrigo Duterte], Negros Island Region (NIR) is still No. 3 in terms of drugs,” the mayor said. “I already told him it’s our No. 1 priority to stop the illegal drug problem.”
Aside from illegal drugs, Leonardia also ordered the BCPO to probe for any big-time illegal gambling lords in the city, adding the city’s police should be more aggressive.
Wanky was earlier appointed as city director of the BCPO, after Police Senior Superintendent Flynn Dongbo formally completed his required term under the police office./WDJ