MANILA, Philippines — The removal of Brig. Gen. Christopher Tambungan as Eastern Police District (EPD) director sends a clear message that the cleansing of the National Capital Region Police Office’s ranks will spare no one in order to restore the public’s faith in the police, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said recently.
Eleazar relieved Tambungan when he was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage verbally abusing and hitting a policewoman. Tambungan was reassigned to Eleazar’s office while an investigation is being conducted.
“Any unjustified physical assault by any officer of the (Philippine National Police or PNP) to anybody, especially to a fellow police officer, is unacceptable and demoralizing,” Eleazar said in a statement sent to The STAR.
“An investigation is being conducted. But because of the incriminating evidence, the CCTV footage, I had him relieved administratively, pending the result of our initial investigation. The result of the investigation will be the basis of my recommendation to the PNP chief,” he added.
The EPD chief’s suspension is the latest in Eleazar’s efforts to clean up Metro Manila’s police force.
More than a week ago, Eleazar ordered the relief of a Pasig City precinct commander due to unsanitary conditions at the precinct.
“Internal cleansing includes a clean office, a clean mind and clean service,” he said.
Last March, Eleazar fired EPD director Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba and Pasay City police chief Senior Superintendent Noel Flores and sacked their anti-drug units on charges of extortion.
In 2018, Eleazar also removed 36 Las Piñas anti-drug officers for extortion and removed station commander Senior Superintendent Marlon Balonglong due to command responsibility.
He has also relieved several police officers for abuse of authority – two policemen caught on camera damaging a taxi’s side mirror, a policeman seen on video slapping a bus driver in Pasay and three Manila policemen for extortion.
Eleazar said he plans to intensify the internal cleansing campaign at the NCRPO to regain the public’s trust.