by Mira Nicole Magbanua and Julius Mariveles
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A seasoned investigator who started his career with the National Bureau of Investigation and also headed a special investigative agency of the National Police assumes command of the police force here as officer-in-charge days after sitting Mayor Albee Benitez described the then police chief as having slipped into retirement mode amid a series of high profile crimes in the city recently.
Among these cases are the series of chopped body parts, from a pair of hands to a pair of feet to the latest case of a lone hand left in Bata village only this week.
Here is a brief look at the background of Noel Calderon Aliño who is now officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office replacing Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir.
Current Rank: Police Colonel
Place of origin: Isabela province
Training institution: Philippine National Police Academy (Class of 1998)
Previous designations:
As police director
Manila Police District
Laguna Police Office
Cavite Police Office
Iloilo Provincial Police Office
As regional chief
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Office 2
Aliño also told DNX, he started his career with the National Bureau of Investigation, reputed as the equivalent of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation that is under the Philippine Justice Department.
The CIDG, on the other hand, is the pemiere investigating arm of the National Police that handles, among others, probes on syndicated crimes and special cases.
Aliño was officially assigned as the OIC of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) effective 18 April 2023.
Aliño replaced Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, who served as the city police director for one year and six months.
Martir who is set to retire this May is now on non-duty status.
Aliño told DNX that he already met with the station commanders this morning and gave them initial guidance, one of which is for them to be more disciplined in their duties.
He said that the program of Mayor Albee Benitez to counter crimes here in the city is good, but the police can only contribute to it if they have the discipline.
The new OIC diirector also stressed on police visibility, as he said there should be more police on the streets rather than police stations.