Police Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay formally assumed his post as acting director of the Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
The ceremonial turnover was held at the MPD Headquarters in Ermita, Manila, attended by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director Jose Melencio Nartatez, and outgoing MPD chief Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon.
Dizon was among the four ranking officials who were reassigned to new posts by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on October 2.
He was reassigned to Camp Crame as director of the Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS).
In his speech, Dizon thanked the entire MPD force for their support.
"To the men and women of the Manila Police District, maraming-marami salamat (thank you so much) and let us always be true to our name that we are Manila's Finest. Mula po sa inyong dating district director, maraming salamat (From your former district director, thank you so much)," Dizon said.
He also commended Mayor Honey for her cooperation in the Manila police operations and programs, as well as her contribution to the accomplishments of MPD.
Dizon took office as MPD director almost the same time as Mayor Honey's assumption as the Manila local chief executive last year.
“Gustuhin man namin na manatili ka dito sa Maynila, ginagalang natin ang desisyon ng liderato ng Philippine National Police. Dalangin lang sana namin na ikaw ay gabayan ng Panginoon sa bagong yugto ng iyong buhay pulis. We say thank you very much. We wish you all the best on your new assignment (Even if we want you to stay here in Manila, we respect the decision of the leadership of the Philippine National Police. We just pray that the Lord will guide you in the new phase of your police life. We say thank you very much. We wish you all the best on your new assignment),” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Lacuna-Pangan welcomed Ibay as the newly designated MPD chief whom she said is a "true-blue Manilan" as he formerly served in various positions in the MPD.
“We are welcoming you back to Manila, the city you have loved to serve for many years, as a police captain, police major, police colonel, and soon as police general. You were designated as one of the precinct commanders, as a station commander, as MPD chief directorial staff, and you were given many other assignments such as deputy regional director, provincial director, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)- NCR chief, and as senior executive assistant to the Chief PNP, among others,” she noted.
The mayor said the hierarchy of the PNP must have recognized Ibay’s style of leadership.
Meanwhile, Col. Ibay said he is honored and grateful for the trust and confidence vested in him.
Ibay was the former Senior Executive Assistant to the Office of the Chief PNP.
He vows to maintain security in the capital city and to focus on diligently executing the programs of PNP.