Aurora police chief transferred after arrest of mayor’s in-law

BALER, Aurora, Philippines – The chief of this town’s police station was relieved from his post on Wednesday, a few days after his men arrested a sister-in-law of Mayor Nelianto Bihasa for illegal drug possession.

Chief Inspector Jun dela Cruz was transferred to the administrative division of the provincial police headquarters at Camp Ravina by provincial police director Senior Superintendent Danilo Florentino.

Dela Cruz was replaced by Senior Inspector Ferdinand Usita of the nearby Dipaculao town police station.

Florentino said Dela Cruz’s relief, which was approved by Region 3 police director Chief Superintendent Rudy Lacadin, came five days after members of the Baler police arrested Leila Sanchez-Bihasa in an anti-drug operation in Barangay Suklayin on Saturday.

The police have filed charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before a local court against Sanchez-Bihasa, wife of the mayor’s brother Amay Bihasa.

Sanchez-Bihasa, who is among the town police’s most wanted drug personalities, reportedly yielded 1.9 grams of shabu.

“We were just doing our job and I want to show that the police are not under the control of politicians,” Dela Cruz said.

He said the arrest of Sanchez-Bihasa proved that there is no sacred cow in Baler when it comes to illegal drugs.

Asked if his relief has something to do with the arrest, Dela Cruz said: “Maybe, it’s possible.”

Florentino said Lacadin tasked Dela Cruz to go after drug traffickers in his jurisdiction. He said the official’s performance in the anti-drug campaign was good.