ILOILO CITY – A week after becoming Western Visayas police chief, Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky claimed there was miscommunication with the media.

POLICE Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky answers questions from the media during his first official press conference as head of the Police Regional Office-6 in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City, on Monday, February 26. (Tara Yap)
“Hindi tayo nagkakaintindihan. Miscommunication (There was a misunderstanding. Miscommunication),” said Wanky.
Wanky conducted his first official press conference as head of the Police Regional Office-6 on Monday, February 26, after he was criticized by the Iloilo Police and Defense Press Corps led by Jennifer Ponsaran-Rendon of the Daily Guardian newspaper based in Bacolod City.
Wanky denied that all reporters in the region who wanted to interview him have to go via Major Mary Grace Borio, chief of PRO-6 Public Information Office.
“First of all, I did not make that policy,” Wanky said.
Wanky claimed he was taken out of context. He said he only instructed Borio to cater to members of the media when he is not available.
He said that he did not grant an interview during the February 19 turnover ceremony in Camp Delgado, the PRO-6 headquarters based here, because he was busy. “I was very busy at that time with the guests,” said Wanky.
PNP chief Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. answered questions from the media while Wanky refused to answer any and walked away.
“Ang impression niyo sa akon suplado (Your impression of me is arrogant and snobbish),” Wanky said. “I do not have a problem with the media where I’ve been working in the past. I always answer calls when I’m available,” Wanky said.
Wanky said he is always open for interviews from media not only in this city and province of Iloilo but also from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental provinces.