No truth on relief of Aklan police director
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr laughed off reports of his relief as acting police director of the Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO). Earlier, there were reports that some chiefs of police were unsatisfied of Durana's "transformation program" and policies for the APPO's uniformed and non-uniformed personnel.
Durana, a member of Class 1988 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), urged policemen to support his programs - wearing of helmets, refraining from going to cockpit arenas and beerhouses, conduct daily morning prayer and wearing of proper uniforms while on duty.
"The misgivings of some chiefs of police are purely hearsay. The impending relief order is untrue," he stressed.
APPO has 18 police stations in 17 towns, including the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) in the famous island of Boracay.
Durana, who assumed his post on January 13, 2007, said he would strongly implements the PNP's transformation program to maintain peace and order in the barangays, support the tourism policies of the provincial government, provide a customer service desk in every police station and conduct trainings on customer skills service to his men.
Durana, a Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (Cops) 2005 recipient, underwent a six-month strategic management training course with the London police involving criminal investigation, handling of hostages and other crisis situations, and counterterrorism last year.

“Whether at the height of challenge or celebration, I will be here for all of you in times of victory not just as acting police director but as a father and a fellow servant of God and the people,” he stressed.

Durana was also the chief of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (Pacer) based in Metro Manila.He led police operations to neutralize the Ilonggo-Waray robbery and kidnap-for-ransom group and the most wanted masterminds of the Calauag massacre.

Durana was also assigned at the Office of the Chief Directorial Staff, PNP Camp Crame in 2005 and former head of PNP’s Transformation Program during the stint of PNP chief Arturo Lomibao.