5 police chiefs Relieved

CEBU, Philippines - Sending a strong message to the police force, Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo, Jr. ordered the relief of five police station chiefs in Cebu for their failure to curb illegal gambling activities in their  area of responsibility and for not implementing the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Ordered relieved were Senior Insp. Ranulfo Espina of Waterfront Police Station, Chief Insp. Pablo Cabildo of Waterfront Police Station,  Insp. Juan Capacio of  Marigondon Police Station and Supt. Henry Biñas Toledo Police Station.

“Nahulihan si Biñas sa area niya last Sunday. It was validated yesterday (Monday) so I caused his relief yesterday,” Garbo said.

Garbo ordered the relief of Insp. Welther Grapa, chief of Tuburan Police Station, following the escape  of two detainees, Jenard Pacquiao Magpuyo and Danilo Sanchez, from the station’s stockade.  The two remain at large.

 “He (Grapa) didn’t foresee the possibility of the escape of the said prisoners which could have been prevented if he has conducted initial inspection or security survey of the said jail facility,” Garbo said.

Garbo also requested the transfer of Insp. Jackman Aton and Insp. Eugenio Raganas from Cebu City Police Office to PRO 7 for “trying to question his authority” by not implementing PIPS, his brainchild.

He said this could demoralize the officers involved, but this is also to send a strong message to his men of his seriousness about PIPS.

“Kukonti pa lang ang nare-relieve.  Marami pa rin naming matitino,” the PRO 7 director said.

Under PIPS, several checkpoints are conducted and more policemen are deployed in crowded areas and civilian volunteers are tapped.

In an interview with Biñas, he said he heard of his relief but he has not received an official order yet. 

Biñas told The FREEMAN he will not question the wisdom of his senior officer and he will abide and respect the discretion of Gen. Garbo.

“Kung naay order follow lang ta. I always submit to the wisdom of my senior officer,” he said.

Biñas claimed that Toledo City tops among other police stations in terms of operations against illegal gambling.

“As for us, we strived hard to stop illegal gambling but we respect whatever decision made,” he said.

For his part, Insp. Grapa was no longer the chief of the Tuburan Police Station effective yesterday based on his relief order sent by the PRO-7. — (FREEMAN)