Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday, Sept. 2, welcomed Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan who was appointed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the new acting director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
“Inaasahan ko na itutuloy, kundi man lalong pagbubutihin ni General Maranan ang magagandang nasimulan ni General Nick Torre gaya ng 3-minute response sa bawat natatanggap na tawag ng saklolo sa Helpline 122 ng lokal na pamahalaan (I expect that General Maranan will continue, if not further improve, the good initiatives started by General Nick Torre, such as the 3-minute response to every emergency call received by the local government's Helpline 122),” Belmonte said.
Maranan replaced former QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III who resigned as the city police chief last Wednesday, Aug. 30, after receiving criticisms on how the QCPD handled the gun-toting incident involving a former policeman and a cyclist who figured in a road at the corner of Welcome Rotonda and Quezon Avenue last Aug. 8, which led to a heated argument.
The city police held a press conference on Sunday, Aug. 27, which, according to netizens, gave the ex-police officer who was seen in a video hitting the cyclist’s head and pulling out a gun during the confrontation, to air only his side.
Torre III said that his resignation was a personal decision so that the issue will not drag the whole PNP down.
“Kasabay nito, aking inaasam na isaalang-alang sa lahat ng oras ng bagong pamunuan ng QCPD ang paggalang sa karapatang-pantao, hustisya at pantay na pagtingin sa lahat ng QCitizens anuman ang kanilang kasarian, relihiyon o katayuan sa buhay — mga bagay na marubdob na itinataguyod at ipinaglalaban ng lokal na pamahalaan (At the same time, I hope that under the new leadership of QCPD, due consideration will be given at all times to respecting human rights, justice, and equal regard for all QCitizens, regardless of their gender, religion, or status in life — values deeply upheld and championed by the local government), she added.
According to the mayor, Gen. Maranan has an extensive experience in the PNP as he received more than a hundred awards since he became a police officer.
Maranan served as the chief of the Philippine National Police – Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) in 2022.
He also served as the QCPD Deputy District Director for Operations and the Chief of Staff of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group in 2021.
He also held different command positions such as the PNP Provincial Director of Pangasinan and Chief of Police of Marikina City, Chief of Police of Imus and Bacoor, Cavite, and Company Commander of the Cavite Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Furthermore, Maranan held several roles in different PNP units including the Aviation Security Group, Police Regional Office - CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Southern Police District, Cebu City Police Office, and Police Regional Office 5 in the Bicol Region.
He also received formal training in various specialized areas within the police force, encompassing intelligence, drug law enforcement, incident management, aircraft operations, bomb investigation, human rights, hostage negotiation, and police tactical skills.
Belmonte said she is confident that Maranan will bring his dedication, expertise, and commitment to the safety of the community as the head of the local police force.
“We look forward to working closely with him and the entire police force to ensure that the security and well-being of the people of Quezon City remain a top priority,” she said
“We also hope that Maranan can also bring justice into the gun-toting incident that happened recently through a fair and unbiased investigation,” the mayor added.