6 Laguna chiefs of police relieved

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna , Philippines  – The six chiefs of police in this province were relieved from their respective posts as part of the first wave of a major reshuffle in Laguna-PNP command to boost their campaign against criminal groups or lawless elements following a number of crime incidents.

Laguna provincial director, Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, said the chiefs of police of San Pedro, Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba City, San Pablo, Los Baños and Sta. Cruz, were among the police chiefs affected by the revamp following their performance rating on crime fighting.

Cruz, however, said the crime solution rate also increased due to the arrest of the prime suspects in different crimes committed in the province. He said the police have filed criminal charges against those arrested in various courts in Laguna.

Cruz said he immediately relieved the chief of Calamba City, Superintendent Nestor de la Cueva following a shooting incident that left three persons killed including a lawmen and Army colonel, Thursday night in Calamba City. He was replaced by Superintendent Joel Pernito, as officer-in-charge. De la Cueva was assigned at the Police Community Relations. De la Cueva’s relief came a day after the killing of SPO2 Julian Piamonte, 49, a retired Army colonel Rolando Siyang, 56, and drinking partner Rogelio Laririt, 56, after they were shot dead by three unidentified armed men, following a series of crime incidents in Calamba City, last month.

Cruz said Pernito was replaced by Superintendent Leonard Luna. Luna’s position as chief of San Pablo City police is now held by Superintendent Ferdinand Castro. Cruz said Cabuyao town police chief Superintendent Dante Novicio was replaced by Superintendent Arnel Gongona. Novicio was relieved for overstaying in his post. He was transferred to the Los Baños police station.

Superintendent Ramon Ramirez, chief of San Pedro, Laguna, was replaced by Superintendent Kirby Kraft. Ramirez’s relief was in accordance with the PNP’s one-strike policy on crimes involving motorcycle-riding elements.

Kraft position as chief of public safety and security was given to Sta. Cruz chief Superintendent Marvin Joe Saro, while Superintendent Chito Bersaluna took over his post.