PNP recalls relief of 13 Calabarzon police chiefs

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has recalled an order relieving the 13 police officers in Calabarzon region, a senior police official said yesterday.

The police official, who requested not to be named, said the 13 Calabarzon police chiefs were recalled to their respective posts last Friday.

The 13 officials were the precinct commanders in Dasmariñas City, Cavite;  Ilaya, San Jose, San Juan, and Lemery, all in Batangas; Cabuyao City, Calamba City, Los Baños, Pakil and Nagcarlan, all in Laguna; Jala-Jala and Taytay in Rizal and Padre Burgos in Quezon.

Last April 5, the police officials were ordered relieved for allegedly failing to curb illegal gambling operations in their respective jurisdiction.

The relief order was approved by PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and implemented by the PNP-Regional Police Human Resources and Development Division 4A.

The source said the 13 police officials were ordered to report to the Regional Investigation Division for further investigation.

“Some of the police chiefs are still not yet on the hook. Some of them will be retained in their post while the others will be removed depending on the investigation being conducted by the Regional Investigation Division,” the source told The STAR.

Some police officers questioned the recall of the 13 police commanders saying the move showed the PNP is not sincere in implementing the “one-strike policy.”

The 13 officials were among the 92 police executives and precinct commanders recommended for relief in line with the PNP one-strike policy against illegal gambling.

Calabarzon police chief Superintendent Benito Estipona confirmed the recall of the officials.

 Estipona ordered the five provincial directors and chiefs of police to intensify the campaign against any form of illegal gambling in the region.

He ordered the probe team to speed up the investigation against the 13 police chiefs.