New Bangsamoro Police Chief Pledges Integrity and Unity
COTABATO CITY — The new police regional director for the Bangsamoro region has vowed to uphold integrity, professionalism, and unity in creating a disciplined and dependable police force. This commitment aims to strengthen peace and order in the region, sources said.
Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman took office on Sunday, June 22, following his installation by Lieutenant General Edgar Alan Okubo, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directorial staff. De Guzman emphasized that building a reliable police force requires unwavering dedication and collaboration with the community.
Leadership Transition and Police Reshuffle
De Guzman succeeded Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz, his classmate from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Patnubay Class of 1995. Macapaz now serves as the acting chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, local officials noted. Their class saw over 20 senior officers reassigned during the first major reshuffle under PNP Chief Director General Nicolas Torre III.
Just days prior, Brigadier General Joseph Arguelles, also from the PNPA Patnubay Class of 1995, was appointed head of Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 in the Davao Region. This region was once led by Torre during a high-profile police operation to arrest the Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in 2024.
Legacy of Strong Leadership
Macapaz played a critical role in the arrest operation, personally escorting Quiboloy to Camp Crame. De Guzman expressed honor in following Macapaz’s footsteps, praising his leadership for establishing a strong foundation for peace and stability in Bangsamoro.
“Let us work with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering unity to build a police force that is disciplined, dependable, and deeply rooted in service to the Bangsamoro people,” De Guzman said. He added, “It is only through unity and dialogue that we can address the unique challenges in our communities.”
Call for Community Partnership and Safety
De Guzman reminded the Bangsamoro people that the future of the region depends on shared responsibility. “Let us work together as partners in peace. Respect the law, support our initiatives, and together we can nurture a society that is stable, inclusive, and just,” he urged.
Previously serving as the regional director of PRO-10 in Northern Mindanao, De Guzman also held roles as commandant of cadets at the PNP Academy and police provincial director in Misamis Occidental. These experiences shape his vision for innovation in the Bangsamoro police force.
Recognition from PNP Leadership
Lieutenant General Okubo commended Macapaz’s achievements during his eight-month tenure in Bangsamoro. Despite the region’s challenging and diverse environment, Macapaz exhibited exceptional dedication and effectiveness.
“We recorded no election failures in the country, especially in BARMM. That is an extraordinary achievement credited to the men and women of PRO-BAR,” Okubo said. He also hinted at a possible promotion for Macapaz, praising his leadership.
Okubo reminded De Guzman of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive: “It is not enough for people to be safe; foremost, they should feel safe.” Although crime statistics show a decline, many still feel unsafe due to perceived drug proliferation and criminal activity.
“More than numbers, we must make people feel safe by ensuring swift and responsive police action, especially the five-minute response time,” Okubo emphasized. He encouraged the public to share honest feedback, saying, “If we did wrong, tell us. If we did great, please tell everyone.”
Building on a Strong Foundation
Macapaz’s background includes key positions such as director of the PNP Directorate of Intelligence and senior police assistant at the PNP Deputy Chief for Operations office. His leadership has left a lasting mark on the Bangsamoro region.
De Guzman is committed to continuing this legacy with renewed energy and innovative approaches. “We will build upon this legacy with renewed innovation,” he said.
For more news and updates on Bangsamoro police leadership, visit Filipinokami.com.