Archival names Ylanan as Cebu City’s top chief

Local

CEBU CITY Mayor Nestor Archival has named Col. George Ylanan as the new Officer-in-Charge of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

The Cebu City Government formally introduced Ylanan on Monday, Nov. 17, where Archival expressed full trust and confidence in the new CCPO head.

“I will not fail you on that endorsement,” Ylanan told the mayor.

A member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 2002, Ylanan is a homegrown Cebuano who grew up in Barangay Labangon and studied from elementary to college at the University of San Carlos, where he earned a degree in computer engineering.

Before his return as CCPO chief, he served in multiple assignments, including earlier stints as a junior officer in the same office, making his reappointment “a homecoming to serve my fellow Cebuanos.”

Ylanan said he intends to reset the CCPO’s focus toward “basic PNP programs” that emphasize prevention over response.

“With the help of the government, as much as possible, we will prevent the crime from happening, so there’s nothing to solve. If a crime does happen, we will solve it 100 percent,” he said.

Among his immediate directives: increased anti-drug and anti-criminality operations, more visibility patrols, strengthened and elevated police outposts, and maximum deployment of personnel in strategic areas.

The new CCPO chief stressed that Cebu City’s crime rate remains “on a downtrend,” but said true safety is not measured only through statistics.

“The people themselves must feel they are safe, not just in the data,” he said.

Archival said he expects the CCPO to remain in “proactive mode,” noting that modern policing demands better tools, equipment, and mobility.

“Ang purpose sa police number one: to prevent and solve crimes. Naa sila sa proactive mode karon — dili pa gani mahitabo ang crime, na-solve na,” Archival said.

However, he raised concerns that the CCPO’s existing fleet had dwindled.

“There were 80 mobile vehicles with gasoline; karon 40 na lang. So they are asking for fuel. I say we will do it efficiently,” he added.

Archival said the city has asked the Committee on Police to assess which units should be replaced, with electric vehicles (EVs) identified as the city’s long-term mobility solution.

“We will utilize electric vehicles para dili nata problema sa fuel, and at the same time we have motorcycles too,” he said.

The mayor said he expects Ylanan to “do the best he can to solve the problem immediately, and 100 percent.”

Previously, Archival approved the P12-million procurement of electric cars and motorcycles for the CCPO to improve police mobility while supporting the administration’s sustainability push.

The EVs will be sourced under the city’s Peace and Order Program.

He said the shift aligns with Cebu City’s broader direction toward cleaner technology.

“Ang akong himuon is we’re going to buy electric cars for them. Mao gyud nay direksyon sa city government,” Archival earlier said.

The mayor also highlighted the CCPO’s growing role in environmental initiatives, noting their involvement in:

• water catchment systems

• station-based urban gardens

• the “One Tumbler at a Time” program

• the 256K Trees campaign

“The police are not only for keeping peace and order; they will help us in protecting the environment. Mao gyud nay nakanindot,” he added.

Archival said the modernization of police mobility will also prepare the CCPO for major upcoming events, including: Sinulog Festival 2026 and ASEAN Summit 2026.(TGP)