Over alleged inclusion in narco list?: CPPO head gets relieved

CEBU, Philippines - Just over two months since he assumed office, Senior Superintendent Jose Macanas, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, has been relieved from his post.

Police Regional Office-7 director  Noli Taliño said just yesterday he received an order from Camp Crame relieving Macanas as provincial director. He will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Eric Noble of PRO-1.

Taliño immediately informed Governor Hilario Davide III of the developments since the effectivity of the relief order is September 30.

Taliño said the only information he can connect with the relief of Macanas is his alleged inclusion in a list reportedly submitted by Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

However, he said he has no further information about this alleged list.

Mayor Espinosa and his son Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa are allegedly involved in illegal drug operations.

Macanas was once police director of Ormoc City before he was assigned to the Highway Patrol Group in Camp Crame then being assigned to CPPO replacing Senior Superintendent Clifford Gairanod.

Taliño said he talked with Macanas and the latter was surprised why he was included in the list. Macanas said when he was Ormoc City police director he was able to arrest one of the Espinosas.

Taliño also said he was surprised by the order.

"Maganda ang accomplishment niya, top performer ang CPPO sa double barrel sa region," he said, adding Macanas is ready to answer the allegations against him in the proper forum. Macanas was not available for comment yesterday.

Davide said the relief of Macanas was unexpected.

Quoting Taliño, Davide said Macanas was allegedly included in a list of people implicated in the drug trade by Mayor Espinosa, who surrendered to PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa in August after he and Kerwin were tagged as involved in the illegal drug trade.

Backing Macanas' claim, Davide said Macanas arrested Kerwin during an anti-drugs raid in Barangay Tambulilid, Ormoc City, on March 5.

"Which I think tingali mao naglagot ang mayor. What I know he was responsible for the arrest kining Kerwin when he was still chief director," he said.

During the raid, the operatives found and confiscated several high-powered firearms and handguns, as well as several big sachets of suspected shabu from the house of Kerwin's alleged cohort Momasimban Limbona in Barangay Tambulilid. Kerwin, whom the policeman caught hiding in the bushes outside Limbona's house, was allegedly found with a high-powered rifle and a grenade.

Davide said Macanas has been performing well since he assumed as provincial police director.

"That's why I was surprised. He was performing well. We have a very good working relationship. Sa-yangan ko ba kay maayo man siya'g performance," he said. (FREEMAN)