Parang, Maguindanao del Norte – PBGEN Romeo Juan Macapaz officially took command as the 31st Regional Director of the Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) during a turnover ceremony held on October 10, 2024, at Camp Salipada K. Pendatun. The event marked a leadership transition in the region’s police force, witnessed by key officials and dignitaries.
The ceremony was presided over by PMGEN Bernard M. Banac, Acting Commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, who was warmly welcomed by PRO BAR personnel with foyer honors. The outgoing Regional Director, PBGEN Prexy D. Tanggowohn, led the reception alongside PCOL Julius Cecil S. Ordoño, OIC Deputy Regional Director for Administration/Operations, and PCOL Jemuel F. Siason, Chief of Regional Staff.
PBGEN Macapaz previously served with the Philippine National Police’s Directorate for Intelligence and is a proud member of the PNP Academy (PNPA) “Patnubay” Class of 1995. In his message, he expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the trust placed in him to lead PRO BAR, and he called on all personnel to work together in delivering excellence, selflessness, and loyal service to the nation.
PMGEN Banac praised PBGEN Tanggowohn for his outstanding leadership during his tenure and welcomed PBGEN Macapaz as the new Regional Director. He highlighted that Macapaz’s expertise in intelligence-driven operations will be critical in combating lawless groups in the Bangsamoro region and strengthening cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.
The ceremony was attended by various officials, including BGEN Romuldo D. Quemado II, Commander of the 1st Marine Brigade; Lieutenant Commander Jorrel L. Sebastian, Chief of Staff, Coast Guard District BARMM; Director Gel Cesario P. Castro, Regional Director of PDEA BARMM; and Atty. Ysnaira A. Ibrahim, PRAB Chairperson of NAPOLCOM BARMM. FSSUPT Jeraniel C. Taporco, DSC, Assistant Regional Director for Administration, BFP BAR, was also present.
Among the local government leaders in attendance were BARMM Ministry of Interior and Local Government Deputy Minister Dr. Ibrahim P. Ibay, Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulrauf Macacua, and various municipal mayors, including Barira Mayor Abdul Rauf D. Tomawis, Matanog Mayor Zohria S. Bansil-Guro, and Parang Mayor Cahar P. Ibay.
As PBGEN Macapaz assumes his new role, his leadership is expected to bring renewed focus on intelligence-driven policing and enhanced security measures in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
