Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo, head of the Philippine National Police’s anti-kidnapping group, will be the new Central Visayas police chief starting Wednesday, September 9. 

Estomo confirmed his assignment in a text message to Rappler. 

Estomo will replace Brigadier General Albert Ferro, who has served as Central Visayas police chief since February.

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella said in a press conference earlier on Tuesday that Ferro helped the city successfully implement quarantine restrictions, leading to the decrease in number of cases.

Cebu City once had the highest number of coronavirus cases outside of Metro Manila, but is now down to below 400 active cases.

“Well of course if it is for a promotion, we cannot prevent one from growing and from improving. For me, I feel a bit sad because General Ferro has been very effective and one of those responsible in helping flatten the curve,” Labella said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

“He has been very effective, intense and cooperative,” Labella added.

Ferro will take up a new post as director of Integrated Police Operations for Southern Luzon. 

The incoming Central Visayas chief said that he would continue assisting Cebu City in enforcing its health protocols to keep its coronavirus cases down. 

Region VII has a population of about 7 million and includes the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The new assignments are part of the first round of reshuffle ordered by new PNP chief General Camilo Cascolan.

Estomo headed the PNP’s anti-kidnapping group since July 2019, where he dealt with a rise in kidnapping cases, especially those involving Chinese in the Philippines.  (READ: Number of Chinese kidnapped in PH jumps by 71% in 2019)

Estomo, 51, graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1986. 

He was a Cavalier Awardee at the PMA’s 2018 homecoming. – Rappler.com