Regional Offices

In line with the government’s program of bringing services closer to the client group and the citizenry and pursuant to Section 21 of R.A. 6975, as amended, the NAPOLCOM operates and maintains regional offices to implement the policies and programs of the Commission in their respective regions. In line with this, the Commission delegated substantial powers and functions to its regional offices with the promulgation of the following policies:

(1) NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 99-088 issued on June 21, 1999, entitled “Delegating Functions to the NAPOLCOM Regional Offices”;

(2) NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 99-013 issued on December 15, 1999, entitled “Clarifying the Scope and Extent of the National Police Commission’s (NAPOLCOM’s) Power of Administrative Control and Operational Supervision Over the Philippine National Police (PNP) Under Section 14 of R.A. 6975, As Amended”;

(3) NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2000-030 issued on June 21, 1999, Amending Annex “A” of Resolution No.99-088, on the subject “Delegating Functions to the NAPOLCOM Regional Offices” By Repealing Item 14 and Revising Items 22 and 23 Thereof”;

(4) NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2002-076 issued on August 15, 2002, entitled “Authorizing NAPOLCOM Regional Directors to Grant Height Waivers”;

(5) Executive Order No. 739 dated August 19, 2008, entitled “Reorganizing the Peace and Order Council, as amended by Executive Order No. 773 dated January 5, 2009, entitled: Further Reorganizing the Peace and Order Council”;

(6) NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2013-004, entitled “Prescribing the Guidelines on the Grant of Waiver on the Minimum Qualifications for the Initial Appointment to the Uniformed Component of the Philippine National Police”;

(7) NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2018-010 issued on January 11, 2020, entitled “Authorizing NAPOLCOM Regional Directors, Acting Regional Directors and the Staff Service Chief of the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to Approve Pre-Charge Investigation Reports and the Corresponding Formal Charge”; and

(8) NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2018-275 issued on June 5, 2018, entitled: Amending NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2018-010, entitled “Authorizing NAPOLCOM Regional Directors, Acting Regional Directors and the Staff Service Chief of the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to Approve Pre-Charge Investigation Reports and the Corresponding Formal Charge”.

Like all the other NAPOLCOM regional offices, NAPOLCOM Regional Office No. IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) is mandated to exercise the following powers and functions delegated to it by the Commission, which are intended to enhance service delivery at the field level, to wit:

A. Exercise of Administrative Control and Operational Supervision Over the PNP

1. Conduct of inspection and management audit of the Police Regional Office; Police Provincial Offices; City Police Offices and Police Stations under it; City and Municipal Police Stations; Regional Mobile Force Battalion, City and Provincial Mobile Force Companies; and the various National Support Units in the region;

2. Monitor and assess compliance of the PNP with the established criteria for manpower allocation, distribution and deployment and their impact on the community and the crime situation therein;

3. Monitor and assess implementation of the Commission’s programs and projects relative to law enforcement;

4. Conduct inventory of PNP facilities, equipment and supplies in the PNP offices, police stations and units in the region;

5. Investigate alleged anomalies and irregularities committed within the regional jurisdiction by members of the PNP and approve pre-charge investigation reports and the corresponding formal charge;

6. Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum and/or administers oaths when investigating cases or benefit claims;

7. Exercise appellate jurisdiction, through the Regional Appellate Board (RAB), over the following:

(a) Decisions rendered by the PNP Regional Director/equivalent supervisor/PLEBs, involving dismissal of a police officer from the service or demotion in rank, or by the City/Municipal Mayors on cases falling within their jurisdiction; and

(b) Decisions of the NAPOLCOM Regional Director denying claims for police death and permanent and total disability benefits.

8. Provide timely legal services and legal opinions on all issues affecting the administration and operation of the PNP;
9. Investigate, adjudicate and pay PNP death and permanent and total disability benefits claims;

10. Evaluate applications for scholarship grant for initial payment by the Central office and pays subsequent claims;

11. Represent the Commission in the PNP Regional and Provincial Screening Committees for the recruitment, selection and appointment of Patrolmen/Patrolwomen;

12. Represent the Commission in the regional PNP Promotion Boards for the processing, selection and promotion of PNP uniformed personnel;

13. Process and evaluate applications for PNP entrance and promotional examinations and administer said examinations;

14. Develop and implement crime prevention projects and activities within the region;

15. Undertake criminological researches and studies in support of crime prevention activities;

16. Assist concerned NAPOLCOM Central Office staff services in the conduct of criminological researches/surveys in the region in support of crime prevention activities;

17. Conduct annual self-report or victimization surveys;

18. Compile statistical data for the accurate assessment of the crime situation and the proper evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of all police units;

19. Submit quarterly assessment reports of the peace and order situation;

20. Initiate dialogue and linkages with the criminal justice agencies in the region;

21. Conduct regional dialogues with PNP Regional Staff every quarter or as need arises;

22. Attends the PNP Program Review and Analysis (PRA) and sits as Chairperson of the Panel of Reactors;

23. Disseminate and monitor the implementation of all Napolcom issuances and directives; and

24. Issue height waivers to members of indigenous cultural communities for the purpose of PNP recruitment.

 

B. Local Chief Executives

1. Monitor and assess the performance of the local chief executives in the exercise of their operational supervision and control functions as deputies of the Commission; and

2. Recommend, after consultation with the provincial governor and congressman concerned, the suspension or withdrawal of deputation of the local chief executives and the restoration hereof.

 

C. Local Bodies

1. Upon invitation, represent the Commission in the Peace and Order Councils (POCs); and

2. Monitor the activities of the People’s Law Enforcement Boards (PLEBs) in the region, provide legal assistance and undertake capability enhancement program for members of the PLEB.

NAPOLCOM Regional Office No. IX was officially activated on July 1, 1979 with Atty. Carlos R. Villanueva as designated Officer-In-Charge (OIC), with the regional office located in Zamboanga City along Veterans Avenue and jurisdiction covering the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Thereafter, the following officials were designated in succession as Regional Directors in full-time, acting or OIC capacity, to wit:

1. Atty. Benigno S. Dacanay	Officer-In-Charge	January 18, 1980 - February 22, 1987
	Regional Director	February 23, 1987 - May 30, 1989
2. Atty. Renato G. Montenegro	Regional Director	June 1, 1989 - July 14, 1993
3. Atty. Pantaleon V. Pelayo	Regional Director	July 15, 1993 - September 9, 1993
4. Atty. James R. Montecino	Acting Regional Director	September 10, 1993 - July 7, 1994
5. Dir. Joseph D. Gonzalo	Officer-In-Charge	July 8, 1994 - August 30, 1994
6. Atty. Isabelo m. Amahan	Officer-In-Charge	September 1, 1994 - October 9, 1995
7. Dir. Jose M. Umali	Acting Regional Director	October 10, 1995 - January 12, 1997
8. Atty. Simeon M. Hernandez	Regional Director	January 13, 1997 - Sept 30, 1997
9. Atty. Hayudini H. Indanan	Regional Director	November 1, 1997 - July 2, 2000
10. Dir. Yolanda S. Lira	Regional Director	July 3, 2000 - October 2, 2000
11. Atty. Rodigelio M. Peñalver	Regional Director	October 3, 2000 - March 6, 2003
12. Dir. Antonio C. Salazar	Regional Director	March 7, 2003 - November 27, 2003
13. Dir. Nicomedez E. Jose	Officer-In-Charge	November 28, 2003 - February 2, 2004
14. Atty. Edilberto F. Fermil	Acting Regional Director	February 3, 2004 - April 3, 2005
15. Atty. Mamerto E. Amadeo, Jr.	Regional Director	April 4, 2005 - May 10, 2005
16. Atty. Edilberto F. Fermil	Acting Regional Director	May 16, 2005 - June 30, 2007
17. Dir. Joseph D. Gonzalo	Regional Director	December 10, 2007 - August 15, 2011
18. Atty. Macapado A. Guro	Regional Director	September 1, 2011 - January 6, 2015
19. Atty. Pablito M. Abad, Jr.	Acting Regional Director	January 12, 2015 - February 27, 2020
20. Dir. Benjamin DA Florentino	Regional Director	February 27, 2020 - July 6, 2022
21. Dir. Monday R. Samson	Regional Director	July 7, 2022 - Present

On October 12, 1990, the administrative regions in Mindanao were reorganized by virtue of Executive Order No. 429 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino. Region IX, known as Western Mindanao, included the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur; and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Iligan, Marawi, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Tangub, and Zamboanga. EO 429 also provided for the City of Pagadian to serve as the regional center and the City of Zamboanga to remain as the commercial and industrial center.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 36 on September 19, 2001, which reorganized Region IX and renamed it to Zamboanga Peninsula, composed of the following provinces and cities:

With the designation of the City of Pagadian as new regional center, NAPOLCOM Regional Office No. IX transferred its regional office from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City on April 6, 2010, with Dir. Joseph D. Gonzalo at the helm. From thereon, subsequent Regional Directors held office in Pagadian City, being the new seat of regional government.

In anticipation of the “new normal” in a post-pandemic scenario and the fact that a substantial portion of its clientele are based in or are more proximate to Zamboanga City, to include Police Regional Office No. 9, NAPOLCOM RO IX continues to maintain and strengthen its Satellite Office in Zamboanga City to mirror the Regional Office in Pagadian City in terms of staffing complement, operational capability and frontline services available to the public.