29 Bicol police officers sacked

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The Bicol regional police office has relieved 28 chiefs of police and an intelligence officer for allegedly failing in their performance evaluation from February to May this year.

Of the 20 chiefs of police who were relieved on Friday, three each came from Albay, Camarines Norte and Sur, and Catanduanes; two from Masbate and six from Sorsogon, said Chief Superintendent Victor Deona, Bicol police director.

Deona said nine officers were relieved earlier, two were sacked for a cause, while the seven others opted to take a refresher training course after learning they failed to meet the targets.

“The review has been conducted a couple of times because we don’t want to be unfair to our chiefs of police,” Deona said.

Before the evaluation, the police officers undertook a one-month training to familiarize them on the new policy.

“Those who failed the first assessment will be given a one-month refresher course at our regional training center so they will be able to achieve the output once they will be assigned to other areas,” said Deona. He said the targets are specific and quantifiable.

“They were evaluated on their performance in key result areas such as crime prevention, crime solution, and law enforcement,” said Deona. 

Included in the crime solution indicator is the arrest of wanted persons while in law enforcement are agreed targets on illegal drugs, firearms, illegal fishing, illegal cutting of trees, and illegal gambling.