A PROUD Igorot ‘warrior’ named Brigadier General David Kang-owan Peredo Jr. is the new regional director of the Cordillera Police Regional Office.

A member of Philippine National Police Academy ‘Tagapagpatupad’ Class of 1992, Peredo on Tuesday assumed the top Cordillera police post vice Brig. Gen. Mafelino A. Bazar who has been named as the new Area Police Command-Northern Luzon deputy director.

As Cordillera police director, Brig. Gen. Peredo will be supervising all law enforcement operations and peacekeeping efforts of the police force in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Apayao.

Established on July 5, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region is the only land-locked region of The Philippines and is known for its scenic and calming mountain valleys, rice fields, limestone caves, waterfalls and cliffs that offer a sea of clouds.

The 53-year-old Peredo is a native of Sagada, Mountain Province, the famous home of brave but friendly Igorots. A member of the Bontoc ethnic group, the official is a product of government schools including the Balugan Elementary School from 1976 to 1982 and the Ankileng High School from 1982 to 1986 before taking up an information and computer science course at the Baguio Colleges Foundation from 1986 to 1990.

He later joined the PNPA and graduated with a bachelor of science in public safety degree in 1992. A known nemesis of kidnappers and other criminals, Peredo earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Caloocan City in 2004 before taking up his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the North Western Christian University last year.

Before being named by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. to his new post, Brig. Gen. Peredo was the erstwhile Deputy Regional Director for Administration of the Police Regional Office 5 in Bicol region. He also previously served as the PRO5 Deputy Regional Director for Operations in 2020.

The official also previously served as a Provincial Director of the Benguet , Mountain Province and Ifugao Police Provincial Offices. He was also once a Cordillera Regional Mobile Force Battalion commander.

He also used to be a Deputy Director for Administration of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group in 2021. Prior to that, he also previously commanded the PNP-AKG Luzon Field Unit from 2013 to 2014.

A recipient of nearly 200 PNP medals and other awards and decorations, Brig. Gen. Peredo thanked Gen. Azurin for his trust and confidence to him when he assumed his new post during ceremonies officiated by Area Police Command-Northern Luzon commander, Lieutenant Gen. Felipe R. Natividad.

In his assumption speech, Brig. Gen. Peredo recalled that when Gen. Azurin led the turnover rites at the PRO5 last February, he jokingly said,

“Sir, this is the 3rd time that I was tasked to do the welcome remarks. It is my wish that in the next turnover ceremony, my task would be elevated to introducing the presiding officer.”

“Our Chief, PNP then smiled upon hearing this with affirmation and when he delivered his speech, he replied that “Dave, I heard you loud and clear. I am now directing our TDPRM (The Director, Personnel and Records Management) to look for a region for you. Hindi natin alam kung saan pero tiyaga ka muna. Marami pang heneral na magreretire,” he quoted the top cop as telling him.

The PNP chief’s words came true when he recommended Peredo to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. to replace Bazar at the Cordillera police force.

“With all that is happening at the moment, that promise came into reality today. This maybe is one of the many meanings of our Chief, PNP’s mantra of ‘Life is beautiful.’ Life is indeed beautiful where there is patience, prayers and perseverance” he said.

Peredo thanked President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. for approving the recommendation of Sec. Abalos to designate him as the new Cordillera police chief.

He also thanked Brig. Gen. Bazar for his services to the Cordillera region. “Your past is my present and you are a blessing to me. You have paved the way where I can follow you,” he told Bazar who will earn his 2nd-star with his new position as APC-Northern Luzon deputy director.

The official said he would love to work with the Cordillera police force because he belongs to the Sagada community.

“In Sagada, because I’m from that place, they say ‘gawis nan kasin sumaa,’ meaning the heart knows where the home is. It’s good to be back home again,”

Brig. Gen. Peredo shared the Bible verse ‘When the time is right, I, The Lord will make it happen’ from Isaiah Chapter 60, Verse 22.

These words vividly describe the joy that I am feeling now to finally be able to serve “Our Home”, the Cordillera Region. Today, we shall open a new chapter of this unit, rooted with the common aspiration of creating a better and brighter community for our people amidst the challenges confronting us,” he said in his speech.

Brig. Gen. Peredo called on all members of the Cordillera police force to fully support and place their trust on him as he embarks on a mission to sustain their gains.

“As I begin to embark my leadership in this unit, I would like to encourage/propel every personnel with the principles of providing better services and let every actions and undertakings be anchored with my three-fold agenda summed up as “DKP”, or Disiplina, Kakayahan, Pagmamahal at Pagtupad sa tungkulin,” he said.

He explained that being known as the Home of the Most Disciplined Cops in the country, he expect all Cordillera police personnel to continue to do their duties with utmost discipline and with the end in view of providing real good public service.

“Disiplina is by way of performing your job with integrity and professionalism even though nobody is watching. Sapagkat ang tunay na sukatan ng disiplina ay ang pagpatupad sa ating mga tungkulin ng tama at tapat kahit walang mga matang nakatingin sa atin,” he said.

“Pangalawa, ay ang “Kakayahan”, ang kakayahan nating payabungin at mas mapagtibay ang kapasidad ng bawat isa upang mas magampanan nang maayos ang ating trabaho para sa bayan. Nakasalalay sa ating mga kakayahan ang maganda, progresibo at maayos na kinabukasang maibibigay natin sa ating kababayan,” he added.

Last but not the least, he called on his officers and men to love their work.

“Higit sa lahat, sabay-sabay nating gampanan nang may “Pagmamahal ang pagtupad sa ating tungkulin. Sa pamamagitan nito, lagi nating paalalahanan ang ating mga sarili na sa bawat pagganap sa ating papel bilang mga tagapagpatupad ng batas, pairalin natin ang pagmamahal sa serbisyo,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Peredo called on his men to be a good example to others and help regain the trust and confidence of the people to the police force..

“May this serve as a reminder for all of us of the cost we have to take and the purpose of why we are here. All of us made sacrifices and let it not be in vain by engaging in any illegal activities. Magsilbi tayong mga ehemplo sa publiko, tayo ang unang sumunod sa ating ipinapatupad para patuloy nating makuha ang tiwala at supporta ng komunidad,” he said.

The official vowed to further intensify the Cordillera police force’s campaign against criminality, drugs, insurgency and other forms of lawlessness in consonance with the PNP chief’s ‘Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan tungo sa Kaunlaran’ advocacy program.

Shortly after assuming his new post, Brig. Gen. Peredo ordered an increased police visibility in the region to preempt, control and solve crimes. “Let us leave no stones unturned in our quest to build a safer place to live, work and do business,” he told his men.

He also batted for an increased police partnership with the Church and the community to help address all forms of criminality.

“More importantly, we shall endeavor to move our police services closer to the community to fit with their needs and demands in terms of public security,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Peredo said that he will replicate the Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay or R-PSB program of new National Capital Region Police Office director, Major Gen. Edgar Alan O. Okubo who happened to be his classmate from PNPA.

“This is where project RPSB of the NCRPO can be copied and applied with the approval of RD,NCRPO. There may be pressure or turbulence in making this conceivable and it is normal but together let us “turn pressure into passion,” he said.

“We have proven time and time again that there are no obstacles too difficult to hurdle nor any challenges too great to overcome if everybody would work hard together to ensure that it will be accomplished. With the most disciplined cops working beside me, I am sure PROCOR is in good hands working for the best interest of the Cordillera region,” the official said.