Police officials clarify relief order

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – Two ranking officials of the Ilocos regional police command at Camp Florendo here clarified yesterday that their relief from their respective posts on Tuesday had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation into the shabu laboratory busted in Naguilian, La Union, saying it was just part of a routine reshuffle of senior officers initiated by Camp Crame.

Senior Superintendent Samuel Diciano, former deputy regional director for operations who was reassigned to the Bicol region for the same position, said the relief order “should not be misinterpreted” because it’s a normal process within the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon said in an interview with Bombo Radyo here that the relief of Diciano, Senior Superintendent Franklin Bucayu, chief of the regional directorial staff, and Superintendent Jaquilino Lagiwid, La Union police intelligence chief, “is part of a routine reshuffle of senior police officers all over the country.”

The three police officials were relieved from their respective posts based on the Aug. 19 order signed by Director Edgar Acuña, chief of the personnel and records management at Camp Crame.

Razon said Lagiwid was assigned to the national headquarters to help in the investigation into the shabu lab discovered in Barangay Bimmotobot, Naguilian town.

Bucayu, who took over as chief of the regional directorial staff of the Cordillera police command at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet, also said his relief was not connected with the shabu lab probe.

 “It (reassignment) is a routine process within the organization and it’s not connected with the shabu lab investigation,” Bucayu said, explaining that he even helped bust the illegal drug operation.

Diciano was replaced by Senior Superintendent Abner Ontog Jr., and Bucayu by Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena.

Chief Inspector Joel Quintero has temporarily taken over Lagiwid’s former position.

Senior Superintendent Marvin Bolabola, Region 1 chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said 52 relieved policemen, including a police colonel, will be subjected to investigation to avoid whitewash and to show the public that the PNP hierarchy means business in ferreting out the truth in the discovery of the biggest shabu lab ever in the country. – With Myds Supnasd