PRO NIR Holds Simultaneous Oath-Taking and Donning of Ranks on March 18

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region conducted the Simultaneous Oath-Taking and Donning of Ranks for the 1st Quarter Calendar Year 2026 Police Lieutenant Colonel (PLTCOL) Continuous Promotion Program on March 18, 2026, at Kanlaon Hall, Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr., Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.

The ceremony was spearheaded by PBGEN ARNOLD THOMAS C IBAY, RD, PRO NIR who served as the administering officer. It was attended by Atty. Owen G. De Luna, RD, NAPOLCOM, NIR, the Command Group, the Regional Staff, the Personal Staff, the newly promoted personnel, their families, and other officers and personnel of PRO NIR.

The newly promoted Police Lieutenant Colonels were: PLTCOL CLIFFORD L BATADHAY, Chief, Police Strategy Management Unit, Bacolod City Police Office; PLTCOL MARIANO M BUGUINA, Chief, Crime Referral Monitoring Center, Regional Community Affairs and Development Division; and PLTCOL LEO G ESTOPA, Assistant Chief, Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division.

During the ceremony, the promoted officers formally took their oath of office, reaffirming their solemn pledge to uphold the Constitution, enforce the law with fairness and accountability, and serve the Filipino people with honor and integrity. The donning of ranks symbolized not only their new responsibilities but also the trust and confidence bestowed upon them by the organization and the community they serve.

The ceremony marked a moment of pride and achievement for the newly promoted personnel, whose elevation in rank reflects their dedication, competence, and unwavering commitment to public service. It likewise highlighted the organization’s adherence to a merit-based promotion system that recognizes exemplary performance, leadership, and integrity in the discharge of duty.

In his message, PBGEN IBAY emphasized that the promotion of officers to Police Lieutenant Colonel marks a significant and defining milestone that reflects not only their dedication and hard work but, more importantly, the organization’s deep trust and confidence in their competence, integrity, and leadership. He stressed that promotion in the Philippine National Police is not merely an elevation in rank but a clear call to greater responsibility, urging the newly promoted officers to lead by example, strengthen discipline within their units, and ensure that all operations are carried out with professionalism, accountability, and strict adherence to the rule of law.

He further underscored that true leadership is measured by the ability to inspire, guide, and influence their personnel, as their decisions directly impact both operational effectiveness and morale. As they assume higher roles, PBGEN IBAY called on them to uphold the highest standards of service and remain steadfast in their commitment to maintaining peace, ensuring public safety, and upholding justice in the communities they serve.

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region reaffirms its commitment to fostering a competent, motivated, and service-oriented police force, anchored on integrity, discipline, and excellence, as it continues to fulfill its mandate of ensuring a safer and more secure community for all.* (PRO NIR)