Baste questions relief of 35 Davao cops

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte yesterday questioned the relief of city police chief Col. Richard Bad-ang and 34 other police officers.

Duterte condemned the move of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and demanded the reinstatement of the officers.

He described the relief of the officers, including Bad-ang and six station commanders, as an abuse of power by higher authorities.

Duterte said Republic Act 6975 mandates the PNP to work in cooperation with local government units.

“I oppose efforts to undermine the trust between the community and the law enforcement. I call for transparency and accountability in handling the matter, and the immediate reinstatement of the relieved officers,” Duterte said. 

He said the relief of the officers was a reminder of the dangers of “unchecked authority.”

Aside from Bad-ang, among those relieved were Lt. Col. Ronald Lao; Majors Rosario Aguilar, Jimmy Evangelista, Jemuel Mamolang, Joenel Pederio and Noel Villahermosa, and Captains Medardo Baleros, Ronnie Batingal, Henry Calvo, Marlon Donquilab and Jefferson Esccasinas.

The officers said they were not informed of the reasons why they were replaced.

The relief stemmed from drug-related killings that reportedly occurred shortly after Bad-ang assumed the post as chief of the city police.

Bad-ang held the post for only two months.

During a ceremony marking Bad-ang’s assumption as city police chief, Duterte reportedly declared war against drugs. — Ghio Ong