"(There were) various reasons why they had to go," said Chief Superintendent Oscar Calderon, Central Luzon police director, referring to the police chiefs of San Fernando City and the towns of Mabalacat and Candaba.
While Calderon refused to be more specific, sources told The STAR that at least two of the police chiefs were suspected of irregularities in their respective towns.
There were speculations that changes in the local police forces were politically calculated for the 2004 local elections, but Calderon denied this, saying Vice Gov. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, eldest son of President Arroyo, has never intervened in police appointments.
The League of Mayors of Pampanga is set to issue a resolution denouncing the sudden relief of Superintendent Sonny Cunanan of San Fernando City, Superintendent Keith Singian of Mabalacat and Chief Inspector Elvis Diaz of Candaba, allegedly without the consent of their respective mayors.
Sources said some policemen in one of the two towns were allegedly receiving P26,000 per week from local drug dealers, as well as allegedly tolerating a robbery syndicate.
Calderon also cited reports that communist rebels were frequently seen in Candaba.
Calderon said Angeles City’s police chief, Senior Superintendent Angelito Pascua, has been replaced too, having been just an officer-in-charge. Senior Superintendent Jimmy Rescua, the choice of Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, replaced Pascua.