8 Caraga police officials sacked over illegal logging

MANILA, Philippines - Eight ranking police officials in the Caraga region have been removed from their posts due to the unabated illegal logging activities within their areas of jurisdiction, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said yesterday.

Relieved were acting Agusan del Sur police director Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Dasmariñas and seven police chiefs, namely Senior Inspector Ronnel Bangalisan of Esperanza; Senior Inspector Joel Liong of San Luis; Senior Inspector Ehpraim Detuya of Talacogan; Senior Inspector Wilson Corpuz of Loreto; Inspector Jesse Rey de Gracia of Las Nieves; and Senior Superintendent Pedro Obaldo Jr., officer in charge of the Butuan City police.

Based on command responsibility, Bartolome instructed Caraga police director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal to explain why illegal logging persists in Agusan del Sur.