CEBU, Philippines — The provincial police directors of Negros Oriental and Bohol were relieved from their posts owing to the recent spate of killings.
They are Negros Oriental Police Provincial Director Colonel Raul Tacaca and Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Director Police Colonel Julius Gornez.
Tacaca was replaced by Police Colonel Angelito Dumangeng, deputy director for operations at the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas, said Police General Brigadier Debold Sinas, PRO-7 director.
Tacaca is now assigned in PRO-7.
The relief order, which was signed by Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, took effect yesterday.
Tacaca’s relief came after the death of 19 people, including four policemen, a former mayor and a councilor, in just a span of 10 days.
The first casualties were the four cops who were allegedly ambushed by members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town on July 18.
Five days later, lawyer Anthony Trinidad from San Carlos City in Negros Occidental was shot dead in Guihulngan City on July 23.
A day after, on July 24, a rebel returnee and leader of a farmer's association were gunned down by four unidentified men on board two motorcycles in Zamboanguita town.
On the same day, a resident of Dumaguete City was just watching television inside his home when two unidentified men entered his home and shot him several times.
July 25 was the deadliest with seven people killed in a span of 24 hours.
The first incident was in Guihulngan City where a school principal and his sister, an official of the local Department of Education office, were shot dead inside their home.
Forty-five minutes later, at 1:40 a.m., a village chief was killed in Guihulngan after his home was also invaded by armed suspects.
In Siaton town, a resident of Barangay Maloh was shot to death by motorcycle-riding assailants.
A resident of Ayungon town was also gunned down by unidentified men on motorcycle.
In Sta. Catalina town, a family was attacked by unidentified suspects, killing the father and his child. His wife and another child were wounded in the shooting.
The recent casualties were former Ayungon town mayor Edsel Enardecido and his cousin, Leo, Canlaon City Councilor Bobby Jalandoni, and Canlaon Barangay Captain Ernesto Posadas. They were killed in two separate shooting incidents on July 27.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said in a statement that Tacaca was relieved as part of the probe on the spate of killings in the province.
He said Tacaca’s relief will “give way to an impartial probe on possible lapses by his administration in light of several high profile killings in the province for the past several days.”
Sinas, for his part, said PRO-7’s investigation into Negros killings is still ongoing.
Moreover, Banac assured the public that peace and order situation in Negros Oriental is “under control.”
He added that police units in the province remain on full alert to prevent occurrence of crimes.
Bohol
On the other hand, Gornez was replaced by Police Colonel Jonathan Tabang of PRO-7.
In Bohol, there were also several killings reported.
On July 15, businessman Ryan Erca Sigue was shot dead while driving along Benigno Aquino Street in Barangay Booy in Tagbilaran City. Sique operated a cockpit arena in Dauis town.
On June 28, Alejandro Abaño, former captain of Barangay Jagoliao in Getafe town, was shot dead inside his house while he was sleeping.
Abaño’s relative, Junrey Boc, and his house help were also killed in the shooting. (FREEMAN)