LAGUNA, Philippines– The officer-in-charge of the provincial police was relieved from his post yesterday despite what colleagues described as his excellent performance, particularly in the speedy resolution of the rob-slay of a student of the University of the Philippine-Los Baños (UPLB).
Chief Superintendent James Melad, Calabarzon police director, said Senior Superintendent Fausto Manzanilla will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Pascual Muñoz, former head of Calamba City police.
Melad said Muñoz, along with three other police officials, including Manzanilla, were among those earlier eyed to become Laguna police director.
“Muñoz was chosen by Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito to be the permanent provincial director,” Melad told The STAR.
He said higher officials at Camp Crame have ordered the immediate installation of Muñoz as Laguna police director.
On the other hand, Manzanilla will be assigned to his former position as head of the regional investigation division.
Melad hailed Manzanilla for a job well done at the Laguna police, particularly the immediate arrest of several criminal elements, including motorcycle-riding armed men and three drug suppliers in San Pedro, the neutralization of a gun-for-hire syndicate, and the speedy resolution of the killing of UPLB coed Maria Victoria Reyes.
Some top police officials were saddened by the relief of Manzanilla, who according to them, was a victim of a demolition job. “He (Manzanilla) is a good and talented police official, and he has command over his chiefs of police,” one of them said.