The initial impression one gets of the new Chief of Police in the municipal police station in Valencia is a confident man of keen intelligence, capable, strong, but also compassionate.
Romeo G. Cubo was born 44 years ago in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental where his parents had a sari-sari store. He grew up in Guihulngan, and received his formal education there before attending Central Visayas Polytechnic College (now the Negros Oriental State University) from 1992-1996. It was there he received his BS in Criminology degree.
From a young age, he seemed destined to become a police officer. He was positively influenced by his uncle and several neighbors who were also in the police force. After graduating from NORSU in 1996, he joined the police force in 1997. He rapidly rose in the ranks. After becoming a Police Inspector, he was subsequently promoted to Chief of Police in the town of Lazi in Siquijor at a relatively young age of 35.
He subsequently became OIC of the police force in Canlaon City, perhaps the most challenging assignment which covers a large territory with illegal drug trafficking, NPA issues, and other ongoing concerns. When serving there, he remembers it was not unusual to be exposed to physical danger and gun fire, which sometimes resulted in mortalities.
Regrettably, it’s not unknown for senior police officers to be targeted as well. There could be several reasons for that. Deep-rooted grudges seem prevalent in Philippine society. High-level drug dealers or well-connected families seem to operate almost at will in parts of Negros Oriental. The recent killings of Guihulngan’s Deputy Police Chief Sr. Insp Porferio Gabuya, and Canlaon chief medical doctor, Dr. Avelex Amor, are examples of this.
It’s understandable, therefore, that Police Chief Cubo is cautious regarding his personal safety. He’s constantly on guard, feeling a need to be conscious of his surroundings whether on, or off duty. The recent assassination of police officers and the military would suggest he is wise to be cautious.
It’s revealing that the national police department allows only two years’ assignment for Chiefs in the police force. It also protects against any Chief becoming too close to any local politician or powerful family who might try and influence delicate police issues.
Although Cubo has achieved considerable success in the police force, he must have paid a significant collective price as he is not able to be with his family everyday of the week since the Chief’s available time for family life is limited. He and his wife, whom he met in Dumaguete, have one son, aged 11. COP Cubo said that although he is transferred from one assignment to another, he always strives to find even a brief window in his busy schedule to be with family. He said he would never want to force his family to pack up and move with him wherever he is pulled out and assigned elsewhere. He said he has committed to be the one to find a schedule to visit home where his wife and son wait. In effect, their son can continue his studies in the learning institution where he started, and would not need to transfer elsewhere.
The importance of family, after all, is one of the strengths of Philippine society. The close relationships that a family creates are crucial for finding stability here.
Since COP Cubo has only recently arrived at the Valencia Police Station, it’s perhaps too early to confirm the main challenges he would have to face. His understanding so far is that there are not significant issues with the NPA, or with violent crimes here in this mountain town Valencia. In fact, the town has a good reputation of being a “quiet place with a few problems”. The main issue is the lack of safety for Valencia residents due to irresponsible, often reckless driving that has resulted so far in not a few accidents involving motorcycles and motor vs. four-wheeled vehicles that should never have happened.
I was surprised to learn that when doing checkpoint stops, the objective of the police force is not to check on insurance and licensing — which is the sole responsibility of the Land Transportation Office. COP Cubo clarified that police checkpoints are designed to discourage or uncover the movement of stolen goods.
Illegal drug use such as shabu is not considered a significant issue in the Valencia area. Domestic violence warrants are also often discontinued because of the reluctance of the women to proceed further with the complaint. This usually is a result of family pressure to keep the peace and save face in the community, and so one can imagine how the evil behavior can continue unchecked or even worsen.
Chief Cubo’s goal is to maintain much of the status quo in Valencia, while also developing productive relationships with the Mayor and people of Valencia.
When he is eligible for retirement in about five years, COP Cubo will have many options open for him. He said that one area that appeals to him is teaching Criminology in a university. Whichever path Chief Cubo decides to take during retirement, he and his family can proudly look back on a lifetime of service to Philippine society where his legacy has been productive and always honorable.
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Author’s email: irishauthormichaelcassidy@gmail.com
