62 W. Visayas police chiefs sacked for poor anti-drug performance

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Western Visayas police has relieved 62 police chiefs from their posts to make their governmen’s war on drugs more effective.

Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-6, said on Wednesday, September 14, the Oversight Committee of the regional office recommended the relief of 62 police officers from various cities and municipalities from 5 provinces in the region “due to their very low performance” on the campaign against illegal drugs. It is up to the discretion of their respective provincial directors, however, to implement the recommendation.

The committee, which is chaired by Senior Superintendent Alfredo Valdez, PRO-6 deputy director for operations, is in charge of the performance evaluation of the police chiefs for two months, from July 1 to August 31.

He stressed that the movement of personnel was “not a punishment since there’s no quota,” however, he pointed out that these low-performing cops have only one or two drug accomplishments for two months, as he cited the target of President Rodrigo Duterte to suppress illegal drugs is six months.

“We have a commitment to end the illegal drugs,” he stressed, adding that the reshuffling is “to reinvigorate and strengthen our campaign.”

He added that underperforming police officers will face administrative charges if they were found to have been laid-back on the job.

The following police chiefs were recommended for transfer:

• 14 (out of 17) from Aklan
• 13 (out of 18) from Antique
• 10 (out of 17) from Capiz
• 3 (out of 5) from Guimaras
• 22 (out of 43) from Iloilo

Antique

Senior Superintendent Louis Garong, director of Antique Provincial Police Office, confirmed that 12 police chiefs were reshuffled in his province. 

He said that they were transferred within the province because “they may not be effective outside the province since to have to adjust and build assets again. At least in the province, they are familiar with the resources and for easier coordination.”

They are:

• Chief Inspector Alfredo Sumaray from Bugasong to Patnongon 
• Chief Inspector Joseph Puno from Patnongon to Libertad
• Senior Inspector Rex Edgar from Libertad to Tobias Fornier
• Senior Inspector Hermenio Dayrit from San Remigio to Bugasong 
• Senior Inspector Ephraim Roxas from Tobias Fornier to San Remigio
• Inspector Felix Perez to Anini-y 
• Inspector Roger Diom to Barbaza
• Inspector Grace Saldajeno to Belison
• Senior Inspector Wennie Andico to Sibalom
• Chief Inspector Juvy Cordero to Tibiao
• Senior Inspector Harold John Pastrana to Sebaste
• Senior Inspector Karl Stephen Lee Betansos to Pandan

Capiz 

In Capiz, 7 were reshuffled from their posts, said Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, director of Capiz Police Provincial Office. 

He said they were transferred so they will be effective in the drug campaign.

Transferred were:

• Senior Inspector Romeo Mallari from Dao to Panay
• Senior Inspection Peter John Pisueña from Panay to Dao
• Senior Inspector Bryant Fallero from Ivisan to Jamindan
• Senior Inspector Cheryl Visto from Jamindan to Sigma 
• Senior Inspector Hilbert Gervero from Sigma to Tapaz
• Inspector Rene Hare from Tapaz to Cuartero 
• Senior Inspector Leominado Tayopon from Cuartero to Ivisan

Guimaras

Senior Superintendent Leo Erwin Agpangan, director of Guimaras Police Provincial Office, said that two were reshuffled in his area.

They are:

• Senior Inspector Jeffrey Ferrer from Jordan
• Chief Inspector Ali Estember from Nueva Valencia

Iloilo 

In Iloilo, 16 police chiefs were transferred, said Senior Superintendent Roderick Alba, director of Iloilo Police Provincial Office.

He said the other 6 police chiefs who were recommended for relief were spared since there were newly-transferred in their areas of assignment.

Relieved are:

• Chief Inspector Dennis Pamonag from San Dionisio to Lambunao
• Chief Inspector Rogelio Ortigas from Anilao to Sta. Barbara
• Chief Inspector Reymond Celoso from Barotac Nuevo to Tigbauan
• Senior Inspector John Paul Guay from Zarraga to Barotac Nuevo 
• Senior Inspector Felix Alianza Jr. from Lambuanao to Dueñas
• Senior Inspector Hermogenes Eulatic from Tigbauan to Igbaras
• Senior Inspector Elmer Villaruel from Lemery to San Dionisio
• Senior Inspector Wilmar Bolivar from Sta. Barbara to San Joaquin
• Senior Inspector Ronald Paclibar from Dueñas to Mina
• Inspector Sullen Domingo from Batad to Barotac Viejo
• Inspector Raymund Gemarino from San Joaquin to Guimbal
• Inspector Roy Castro from Mina to Anilao
• Inspector Robert Jayson Pancha from Guimbal to Batad
• Inspector Venancio Rendon Jr. from Barotac Viejo to Lemery
• Inspector Ceferino Gelpe Jr. from Igbaras to San Rafael
• Inspector Ruben Perra from San Rafael to Zarraga

Aklan 

Senior Superintendent John Jamili, director of Aklan Police Provincial Office, has yet to confirm if how many police chiefs were relieved from his province.

Meanwhile, as of September 1, PRO-6 records showed 17,326 drug suspects – 16,216 users and 1,109 pushers – yielded to authorities in Western Visayas while 612 were arrested – 489 pushers and 123 users.

Of the arrested suspects, 11 were killed after they engaged the police in gun battles. – Rappler.com