Counter-terrorism expert new TCPO chief

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has appointed an intelligence and counterterrorism veteran as the new chief of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) in the wake of the deadly San Jose National High School shooting and subsequent security threats in Eastern Visayas.

In a memorandum issued Thursday, Camp Crame designated Police Col. Marben Ordonia as the new TCPO chief, replacing Police Col. Noelito Getigan, who has been temporarily reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while awaiting his next posting.

Getigan served as Tacloban City’s police chief for two years.

Ordonia’s appointment comes less than a month after the 22 June shooting at San Jose National High School that left several people dead and injured, as well as following reports of threats targeting schools across the region.

Authorities believe the attack has links to the global online extremist network known as “764,” which allegedly targets vulnerable minors through online grooming and coercion into committing increasingly violent acts.

Before assuming his new post, Ordonia headed the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Division of the PNP Aviation Security Group based at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

He is no stranger to Eastern Visayas, having served in several key assignments across the region.

In 2021, Ordonia led the Special Investigation Task Group “Maghanoy,” which investigated the fatal shooting of James Diaz Maghanoy, the municipal election officer of Lope de Vega, Northern Samar.

A year later, he was appointed deputy provincial director for operations of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, where he supervised operations in villages declared cleared of communist influence.

In 2023, Ordonia was assigned to the Police Regional Office 8 as chief of the Regional Intelligence Division.

His career, however, has not been without controversy.

During his stint in Eastern Visayas, Ordonia drew criticism after linking a barangay captain in Leyte to a criminal group allegedly responsible for a series of violent incidents in Ormoc City and other areas in the province’s third district.