City of Mati, Davao Oriental — The provincial police chief in Davao Oriental, Senior Supt. Harry Espela, has officially relinquished his post on May 15 after more than two years of serving the province.
“Sir, I shall now pass this unit symbol, the symbol of authority… I have done my work to the best of my ability,” says Sr. Supt. Espela during a turnover ceremony at the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office which was witnessed by the Davao Region’s police regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan and the province’s chief executive, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang. Espela was being temporarily replaced by Senior Supt. Jose Bayani Gucela.
“My assignments in Davao Oriental are very memorable and very accomplishing. In fact, I came back in the province of Davao Oriental twice for different assignments. I became the chief of police in the municipalities of Manay, Boston and Banaybanay. I also became the company commander of the Provincial Action Force Company, and group director of 1106th Mobile Force Company in which our unit received the regional award as the best MFC sometime in 1996… Aside of my best accomplishment was when I found a Mandaya woman from Manay, Davao Oriental whom a married… It has always been a dream of mine to come back to Davao Oriental. Believing in the law of attraction that someday I would become a provincial director in this province. And my dream came true,” says Espella.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang thanked Espella for his dedication and indefatigable efforts in maintaining peace in the province. The governor says the police’s “unwavering commitment” to secure the communities against all forms of security threats and to create a safe and secure environment that is conducive to the empowerment of the people and development of communities is “inspiring.” He added that Espela’s accomplishments are “worthy of praise.”
Under Espela’s watch, 61 police personnel here were charged with administrative cases, among them are 32 policemen being suspended, 14 being demoted; 5 dismissed from service; 3 dropped from the rolls; 3 under restriction; and 4 fined. He has also promoted a total of 227 personnel. His campaign against illegal drugs has netted 304 people with 185 cases filed in the local courts. Local police has seized P6.3 million worth of illegal drugs under Espela’s watch. His campaign against loose firearms has netted 94 people, 89 high-powered firearms and 28 low-powered firearms, while the campaign against illegal gambling has netted 125 people. Of the 183 villages in the province, 148 have already been “drug-cleared.” Eight municipalities in Davao Oriental are now drug-cleared.
