Entire Daanbantayan police force sacked

MANILA, Philippines — Citing “dismal” performance in the campaign against illegal drugs, the  entire police force of Daanbantayan town in Cebu was relieved yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, Central Visayas police director, said 22 police officers, including Senior Inspector Adrian Nalua were replaced.

Sinas scolded the police officers for conducting only 11 anti-drug operations last year. “I don’t believe there are no drugs and illegal gambling here,” he told the policemen.

Sinas said he received reports that the police officers were reluctant to implement the laws because they personally knew their subjects. Eight members of the police force are residents of Daanbantayan.

“We don’t have to go through the hassle of monitoring these cops and... the enemy at the same time. They were supposed to work to resolve these issues. It is better to eliminate them altogether and bring in fresh troops,” Sinas said.

He said the relief of the police officers is also in preparation for the elections in May. 

The new police force in Daanbantayan will be composed of 28 personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion to be headed by Chief Inspector William Homoc, former police chief of San Remigio town.

The relieved police officers will be assigned at the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Sibonga, where they will undergo moral recovery training.

President Duterte said the mayor of Daanbantayan, Vicente Loot, is among local officials on his narco list. Loot denied the allegations. – The Freeman