7 more cops on drug list in Negros Occidental sacked

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Another 7 policemen allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade in Negros Occidental were relieved from their posts Wednesday, November 16.

Their relief from duty came 3 weeks after 7 other police officers from the province were transferred due to their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Chief Inspector Dianne Grace Catedral, public information officer of Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18), said the order came from the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame, which was approved by PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

It was Superintendent Renato Gumban, PRO-18 director, who recommended they be relieved after their names were consistently mentioned in the list verified by the regional headquarters, Catedral said.

Relieved from their posts are:

• Chief Inspector Jose Mulleta of National Police Commission-Negros Island Region
• Senior Inspector Gideon Montaño, commander of Bacolod Police Station 1
• Police Officer 3 Dennis Ywayan of Bacolod City Police Office
• Police Officer 2 Ferdimark Peñaroyo of Bacolod City Police Office
• Police Officer 2 Jett Baloya of Bacolod City Police Office
• Police Officer 2 Jeffrey Toquero of Bacolod City Police Office
• Police Officer 2 Amor Firmeza of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office

They will be transferred to PRO-Cordillera.

Senior Superintendent Flynn Dongbo, acting director of BCPO, named Inspector Stephen Boniba, deputy of Bacolod Police Station 1, as officer-in-charge after Montaño’s transfer.

He warned his men not to continue engaging in their illegal drug activities, “warnings were given and they should follow it.”

On October 26, 7 police officers from the province were also transferred after they were allegedly tagged as drug protectors.

The following were transferred:

• Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, head of police community relations of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), who was transferred to PRO-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula)
• Superintendent Rosauro Francisco of NOCPPO to PRO-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula)
• Superintendent Leonardo Angcon of NOCPPO to PRO-Cordillera
• Superintendent Lino Dalisay of NOCPPO to PRO-Cordillera
• Superintendent Jacob Crisostomo, chief of San Carlos City Police Station, to PRO-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
• Chief Inspector Joemarie Occeño, chief of Valladolid Municipal Police Station, to PRO-ARMM
• Chief Inspector Rico Santotome of NOCPPO to PRO-ARMM

– Rappler.com