Following the formal inauguration of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on March 27, 2025, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) appointed Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the newly created PRO-NIR effective April 10.
PBGen Ibay is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy “Kaagapay” Class of 1996. Prior to his designation as OIC, PRO-NIR, he served as Director of the Manila Police District (MPD) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). He was also assigned as the Provincial Director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office (Pampanga PPO); as well as Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit-National Capital Region (RFU-NCR).
The newly installed OIC was accorded arrival honors at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City on April 14. He was warmly welcomed by Police Colonel Dennis Esguerra, the Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO-NIR; along with the top officials of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, Siquijor Police Provincial Office, and the Bacolod City Police Office.
PBGen Ibay replaced PBGen Jack Wanky, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 6, who was designated as the first PRO-NIR OIC in a concurrent capacity.
In his message, the new PRO-NIR Top Cop called for proactive crime prevention and urged PRO-NIR personnel to be faithful in their service to the people.
“I have no agenda of my own. In assuming this role, I carry only one objective— that we conduct ourselves with absolute fidelity to the intentions of public service,” he said.
PBGen Ibay also stressed that his leadership will maintain a sharp focus on the core operations of PNP, which is to serve and protect, based on the three pillars—crime prevention, crime solution, and community partnership.
“Crime prevention shall remain the cornerstone of our strategy. And if crime happens, there should be swift and efficient resolution. Most essential is community partnership–we can only succeed when our bond with the community and other stakeholders is resilient and mutually empowering,” he added.
PBGen Ibay further reiterated the strict implementation of zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct among personnel in the Negros Island Region, stating: “There will be accountability at all levels. There will be zero-tolerance for wrongdoings. We will not tolerate the wrong actions of our personnel.”
