Brigadier General Mark Pespes took the new role as chief of SPD, replacing the outgoing chief Brigadier General Roderick Mariano who got his new appointment at the Philippine National Police Office in Manila.
“Together we can achieve great things, and I look forward to a collective effort that lies ahead. With the support of the community and the stakeholders, let us embark on a journey together with optimism,” Pespes said during yesterday’s turnover ceremony at the SPD grandstand in Taguig City.
Brig. Gen. Pespes has been known as the brave cop of saved Leila De Lima from the hostage taker at the PNP Custodial Center in October 2022.
Pespes was among the three cops who responded and neutralized Abu Sayaff members who attempted to escape the Custodial Center.
He tried to negotiate with a detained Abu Sayyaf member who hostaged former Sen. Leila De Lima. The inmate, still holding De Lima, asked for water. Col. Pespes gave the water with his left hand and quickly shot the inmate point blank with his right hand.
Asked how it felt to encounter notorious Abu Sayyaf members, he said "normal naman sa tao na kabahan."
He added, "Walang magandang accomplishment pag may namatay sa ating hostage. We are very fortunate di napahamak ang ating senator."
He was promoted to one-star general during an oath-taking and donning of ranks ceremony presided by PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
