CPPO implements revamp to avoid bias

CEBU, Philippines - To avoid accusations of bias this election period, the Provincial Police Office has reshuffled some of its chiefs of police in the province.

Supt. Henry Binas, chief of the Talisay City Police, has been reassigned to Naga City while Naga City Police chief Supt. Anthony Bagarinao has been reassigned to Danao City.

Replacing Binas in Talisay is Supt. Elmer Lim of Danao City.

Insp. Anecito Gesalago, chief of the San Francisco police in Camotes has been transferred to Carcar City. He will be replaced by Sr. Insp. Alvin Balio, chief of police of Poro, also in Camotes. Insp. Ramon Gonzaga of the Carcar police is the new officer-in-charge of the Poro police station.

Aside from the police chiefs, about 40 policemen have also been transferred to other police stations in places where they do not have relatives running for public office in May.

Meanwhile, Insp. Sunday Roble of the Ronda police is the new chief of the Special Reaction Unit of PRO-7 while Insp. James Conaco is the new deputy chief of SRU.

CPPO Director Supt. Erson Digal said the “familiarity” between the politicians and the policemen in the place will be used as basis for allegations of bias, something that the police would want to prevent.

Before the turnover ceremony, Digas reminded his men to stay neutral and non-partisan.

Digal said he understands that his men would have to readjust in their new assignments, but he assured that their plans to maintain HOPE or Honest Orderly and Peaceful Elections would not be affected by the revamp.  (FREEMAN NEWS)