Police chiefs in 3 provinces reshuffled

MANILA, Philippines - Police chiefs in Iloilo, Laguna and Negros Occidental have been reshuffled ahead of the start of the election period tomorrow.

At least 24 police chiefs in Iloilo’s 42 towns and one city were given new assignments, partly because some of them have exceeded their two-year tour of duty, said Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin, provincial police director.

Lebin said the others “have grown familiar with political candidates” or have relatives seeking elective posts.

In Negros Occidental, three police chiefs were removed from their posts for allegedly being biased toward certain politicians and failing in the campaign against illegal gambling and prohibited drugs.

The three are Senior Inspector Allan Reloj of Calatrava, Superintendent Leo Batiles of Escalante City, and Superintendent Antonietto Canete of Himamaylan.

In Laguna, the reshuffle affected the police chiefs of 12 of the province’s 30 towns, namely San Pedro, Biñan, Cabuyao, Pila, Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Magdalena, Victoria, Lumban, Luisiana, Pakil and Paete. 

In Nueva Ecija, meanwhile, a reshuffle affected at least nine poll officers as part of preparations for the May midterm elections.

Lawyer Panfilo Doctor Jr., provincial election supervisor, said the revamp covered the poll officers of Cabanatuan City and the towns of Aliaga, Bongabon, Gen. Tinio, Jaen, Licab, Llanera, Rizal, and Sto. Domingo. – Jennifer Rendon, Manny Galvez, Danny Dangcalan, Ed Amoroso