Tagbiliran police chief relieved from post

CEBU, Philippines — To assure “independence” in the ongoing investigation of the kidnapping incident involving four masked men, Tagbilaran City Police Station chief Police Lieutenant Colonel John Kareen Escober has been relieved from his post.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 18, the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) confirmed that Escober’s relief was effective earlier on March 16. This comes a week after an incident where an unidentified man was allegedly kidnapped in Barangay Dao, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Escober was then replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Judy Mar Bonilla, who has been designated as the officer-in-charge of the Tagbilaran City Police Station in order to ensure the stability and continuity of local law enforcement operations in the city.

BPPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Patricio Degay Jr., however, clarified that the administrative move is a procedural necessity, serving as a proactive measure to safeguard the absolute integrity and impartiality of the ongoing investigation.

“By shifting leadership during the probe, we remove any perception of influence, allowing internal investigators to work with full independence and transparency,” he said in the statement.

Degay also added that the relieving of station commanders is a strategic exercise of command power, emphasizing that it is specifically intended to uphold the public's trust in the entire police force in the country.

Furthermore, the BPPO also reaffirmed its commitment to looking into all matters related to public safety with the utmost gravity, adding that the provincial police remains steadfast in its dedication to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation to reveal the full truth of the incident.

It was previously reported that earlier on March 11, a video circulated online showing an unidentified man who was allegedly kidnapped by four unidentified men wearing masks near the Integrated Bus Terminal in Barangay Dao, Tagbilaran City.

The said video drew massive safety and security concerns among the public, prompting local authorities to launch an investigation through backtracking operations of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage around the area where the incident occurred in order to obtain more evidence.

Additionally, the city police are also coordinating with the Land Transportation Office in Tagbilaran City to trace the plate number of the vehicle seen in the video, while efforts are being made to contact the uploader, the tricycle drivers, and other witnesses seen in the footage to obtain their official statements.

Meanwhile, the BPPO strongly urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the incident that could increase fear and panic in the community.

The public is also encouraged to immediately call the police if they witness a similar incident so that any threat to safety and security will be responded to.

As of this writing, the police have not yet received any formal complaints or reports of individuals being kidnapped in connection with the video. — /IHM (FREEMAN)