12 Northern Mindanao police chiefs sacked for poor performance

MANILA, Philippines – Twelve police chiefs across Northern Mindanao (NorMin) were relieved from their position on Monday, September 5, for failing to keep up with the demands of Project “Double Barrel,” the Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs.

NorMin police regional director Police Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino said the chiefs of police of the following municipalities and station were relieved effective September 5:

• Cabanglasan, Bukidnon
• Kalilangan, Bukidnon
• Villanueva, Misamis Oriental
• Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental
• Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental
• Jimenez, Misamis Occidental
• Concepcion, Misamis Occidental
• Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Misamis Occidental
• Pantar, Lanao del Norte
• Tangcal, Lanao del Norte
• Station 3, Iligan City 

“They will be replaced and will serve the Provincial Police Office or City Police Office as staff officers for not less than 1 year probation period,” Constantino said.

The change came following two months of performance assessments, report evaluations, validation, consultation, and recommendations from the Project “Double Barrel” Oversight Committee.

“They were evaluated as to their performance output including drug personality list generation, household visitations, search warrants implemented, arrest warrants served, filing of drug cases in court and other police operations conducted. Unfortunately, they were at the bottom and so we need to replaced them to give way to officers who have the drive to perform better,” Constantino said.

PRO 10 spokesperson Superintendent Surki Sereñas also revealed that the reshuffling of provincial directors and city directors is also expected at the end of September.

P13.5M in illegal drugs seized

The police, meanwhile, seized and confiscated P13.5 million worth of illegal drugs since the implementation of the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs campaign Project “TokHang.” 

“TokHang” is a contraction of “toktok” and “hangyo” – Visayan words for “knock” and “request”, respectively. It refers to the strategy of the police nationwide to go house-to-house in their jurisdictions and convince known drug pushers and users to surrender and be given an opportunity for reformation.

Since July 1, Northern Mindanao police seized a total of 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and 2.4 kilograms of cannabis (or marijuana) with a total estimated value of Php13.5 million in its two months of operation. This includes a recent 1-kilo drug bust in Iligan City last September 1.

Of 28,652 households visited, 74,254 self-confessed drug users and pushers have voluntarily surrendered, 766 drug pushers were arrested, 744 drug cases were filed in court and 18 deaths were recorded resulting from police anti-illegal drugs operations.

“We will continue our anti-illegal drug operations until we have achieved our target of clearing all drug-affected Barangays in Northern Mindanao, arrested top drug personalities and dismantled drug syndicates who operate in our area of responsibilities,” Constantino added. – Rappler.com