The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) has formally requested additional higher-ranking police officers to fill station leadership roles, an official said.

NORPPO spokesperson Captain Stephen Polinar shared during a virtual press briefing that the province is currently lacking officers with the ranks of major and lieutenant colonel who can be assigned to police stations and key units.

“We have already submitted formal requests to the National Police Commission [Napolcom] and the Philippine National Police [PNP] national headquarters regarding this concern,” Polinar said.

He said the shortage poses a challenge for NORPPO, as many senior officers have either retired or are nearing retirement, with no immediate replacements available.

Polinar also noted that only officers with the rank of major or higher are qualified to serve as police chiefs. As a result, stations led by officers-in-charge cannot fully exercise the authority of a regular police chief, affecting overall operations.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region, said Negros Occidental is experiencing the same problem.

“We have reached out to other regions to seek police officials who are willing to be assigned to the Negros Island Region,” Ibay said.

He added that while there are officers with the rank of captain, many are still awaiting promotion to qualify for higher leadership positions. (PNA)