PRO-7 chief claims Dumanjug cops were in illegal business

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of police and six other police officers in the town of Dumanjug were allegedly into illegal drugs and illegal gambling that is why they were relieved, said the top official of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.

PRO 7 Director Marcelo Garbo, Jr. said he immediately ordered the relief of the Dumanjug Police chief and six other cops after validating the intelligence report that the seven were “involved” in illegal activities in their jurisdiction.

“They are protecting illegal drugs and illegal gambling in their area. This has been validated by our Regional Intelligence Division,” said Garbo.

Ordered relived were police chief, Insp. Robert Lucernas and his subordinates SPO3 Felipe Vibar, SPO2s John Eric Cordovez and Joel Sarmiento, PO2 Rafael Baritua and PO1s Danny Canero and Achilles Redoble.

Garbo said the seven police officers were relieved outside PRO 7, just as the others involved of illegal activities are.

The PRO 7 director brushed aside insinuations that the relief of the policemen were ordered just as re-electionist mayor Nelson Garcia needed them for protection.

Garcia was alarmed of the policemen’s relief since he had just heard rumors that he will be assassinated before May 13, election day.

“We can order their relief any time of the day as soon as the report about them is validated,” Garbo explained, saying that they are not siding with any politician.

The Municipal Government of Dumanjug has just awarded Lucernas and the six other police officers following the arrest of armed men, suspected to be political goons.

Garcia, who is running under One Cebu Party, claimed that the policemen’s relief is part of his rival’s plan to eliminate him, tagging lawyer Edgar Gica whose sons, Efren “Gun-Gun” who is running for vice mayor and Erwin “Wado” who is running for councilor under Liberal Party, will be held responsible if something bad happens to him.

Lucernas, for his part, has said he has no idea why he was relieved and clarified that he never sided with any politicians in the town. (FREEMAN)