MENDEZ (right) is the new PRO-3 chief.
Police Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez is the new Police Regional Office-3 (Central Luzon) chief.
Mendez replaced Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., who was designated as acting director of the PNP Directorate for Operations that oversees nationwide operational policies and strategies of the Philippine National Police.
The turnover of command ceremony was held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and presided over by PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
Mendez served as Nueva Ecija police chief, senior executive assistant to Nartatez, and chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the National Capital Region Police Office.
Mendez said his leadership in PRO-3 will be anchored on integrity, transparency, courage, and accountability.
He vowed a sustained campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms, illegal manufacturing of cigarettes, intensified manhunt operations against wanted persons, and internal cleansing.