The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) formally welcomed its new Acting Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Romano V. Cardiño, following a Turnover of Command Ceremony held on May 8, 2026, at the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The transition marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the regional police organization responsible for maintaining peace and order across the Negros Island Region.
The ceremony, conducted by the Philippine National Police, officially transferred command authority from outgoing Regional Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas C. Ibay to PBGEN Cardiño. PRO NIR, in a statement released following the event, described the transition as representing "renewed energy and momentum" for the organization as it continues its mandate of public safety and law enforcement across the region.
PBGEN Cardiño Brings Operational Expertise and Community Policing Focus
According to PRO NIR, PBGEN Romano V. Cardiño assumes his new post with a strong record of leadership and operational experience. The organization expressed full confidence in his capacity to lead PRO NIR through its next phase of development, citing his "clear vision for a more responsive, disciplined, and community-engaged police force."
His assumption of command is expected to drive intensified law enforcement operations targeting criminality, illegal drugs, loose firearms, and wanted persons — all of which the organization identified as priority concerns across the Negros Island Region.
PRO NIR stated that PBGEN Cardiño's leadership signals a continued push toward intelligence-driven and proactive policing strategies, with an emphasis on both operational effectiveness and lawful conduct in all police activities.
PRO NIR Honors Outgoing Director PBGEN Ibay's Tenure
Alongside the formal welcome extended to PBGEN Cardiño, PRO NIR also paid tribute to outgoing Regional Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas C. Ibay, who led the regional office prior to the command transfer.
In its official statement, PRO NIR expressed "profound gratitude and highest appreciation" to PBGEN Ibay for what it described as his "dedicated service, steadfast leadership, and significant contributions to the continued progress of PRO NIR." The organization credited his tenure with strengthening the foundation of operational accomplishments and community-oriented policing initiatives in the region.
No further details were provided regarding PBGEN Ibay's next assignment or the specific circumstances that led to his relief from the post.
Crackdown on Drugs, Firearms, and Criminal Activity to Continue
PRO NIR outlined a clear set of operational priorities that will guide the organization under the new leadership. According to the statement, the regional police office will sustain what it described as "aggressive yet lawful operations" anchored on several key pillars.
These include intensified intelligence-driven law enforcement, enhanced operational readiness, and swift coordinated responses to criminal activity across the Negros Island Region. The organization also reaffirmed its commitment to targeting illegal drugs and loose firearms, which remain among the most persistent public safety concerns in many parts of the country.
PRO NIR further indicated that it would deepen collaboration with local government units, community leaders, and partner agencies. This unified approach, according to the statement, is intended to address peace and order concerns more comprehensively and with stronger institutional support from all levels of government and civil society.
Human Rights and Accountability Cited as Core Police Standards
In a notable emphasis within its official statement, PRO NIR underscored that all operations under the new leadership would be conducted with adherence to the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights.
The organization framed these values as central to its mandate of protecting communities and ensuring public safety — language consistent with national PNP directives that have, in recent years, increasingly incorporated human rights compliance as a formal standard in police operations nationwide.
PRO NIR did not specify any new programs or structural changes that would accompany PBGEN Cardiño's assumption of command, but indicated that existing community-oriented policing initiatives would be sustained and built upon.
Negros Island Region Police Office: Scope and Mandate
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region oversees police operations across the Negros Island Region, which encompasses the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. The regional office is responsible for coordinating law enforcement, crime prevention, and public safety operations across all cities, municipalities, and barangays within the region.
As one of the PNP's regional commands, PRO NIR operates under the overall authority of the national PNP Chief and is tasked with implementing both national directives and regionally specific peace and order strategies. Command transitions at the regional director level are a standard function of PNP institutional governance and are formalized through official turnover ceremonies, such as the one conducted at Camp Crame on May 8, 2026.
The turnover ceremony at PNP National Headquarters underscores the national-level significance attached to regional command changes within the Philippine National Police organizational structure.
PRO NIR Expresses Confidence in Strengthened Direction
Closing its official statement, PRO NIR expressed collective confidence in the direction set by the new leadership. The organization stated that it "moves forward with confidence driven by a clear mission to deliver more responsive policing, enhance public safety, and uphold lasting peace and order throughout the Negros Island Region."
The statement reflected a tone of institutional continuity — acknowledging the contributions of outgoing leadership while affirming organizational momentum under PBGEN Cardiño's command. No press conference or public appearance schedule for the new acting regional director was announced as of the date of this report.
Breaking News Negros Oriental will continue to monitor developments related to PRO NIR leadership and regional law enforcement operations as they become available.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of PRO NIR / Philippine National Police