Over allegations of evidence planting: Police chief willing to leave post

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay Police Station Chief Emerson Dante said he will gladly accept the decision from the local executives if they want him relieved from his post, following the arrest of Lagtang Barangay Captain Mark Ferdinand Bas.

This, after the police were accused of planting evidence against the barangay official during the serving of the search warrant against him for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

No drugs were recovered during the raid. Seized were ammunition, a gun and a hand grenade.

“Walang problema sa akin, tanggapin natin, ang pagiging hepe ay opportunity, masaya akong ma-relieve sa kabutihan kay sa kasamaan,” Dante said.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Chief Eric Noble, for his part, says there is no reason for Dante to be removed from his post.

He said that they are conducting regular evaluation on all chiefs of police, adding that they are expecting more police chief officers to be relieved in the next days.

“Titingnan naman natin ang performance lahat ng hepe, kahit hindi naman nire-recommend, kung pag-alam ko na wala naman, tinatanggal naman natin yung hepe,” he said.

Noble said he instructed the operatives from Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) to make a written report about the said incident to be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, but clarified that they do not have plans of filing a case against those who are accusing his policemen of irregularity during the raid.

“I asked my people to put that in writing so we can inform the proper authorities regarding that and then it’s up to them kung ano maging action dyan,” Noble said.

He denied allegations that his personnel planted firearms and explosives inside the house of Bas, who was reported to be a high-value target in illegal drugs and ranked fourth in Talisay City Police Station’s watch-list.

“Wala naman planted. Unfortunately, wala naman nakuhang drugs doon but we were able to get firearms at saka explosives – yung granada, which is hindi naman siya authorized, kasi wala naman siyang permit.  Bago ni-raid yun, chi-neck muna lahat and then he was already subjected to one month surveillance,” Noble said.

In their investigation, Noble said they found out that Bas was connected with the group of alleged Central Visayas drug lord Franz Sabalones.

Noble added the serving of the search warrant to Bas is not politically-motivated.

For him, the police are just doing their job and that those criticizing their recent operation might be involved in the situation.

“Sa akin, kung sino ang magagalit doon, eh, baka kasangkot yun. Eh, yung isa nasa high-value target nga nandoon.  Kung may nagalit man, sana huwag na silang magalit kasi  trabaho lang ng police,” Noble added.

Instead of lashing out, Noble, however, urged critics to help them in their anti-criminality campaign and they should be active in maintaining peace and order in the city.

“We (should) talk and let’s see how we (can) eliminate the drug problem in Talisay City,” he said.

Dante disclosed that although the operation was conducted by PIB, they were informed about it and they have coordinated with them during the conduct of the operation.

Last October, Dante was deployed in Talisay asking for only two months to prove himself in leading the city’s police force.

He then added that he is not expecting to be deployed in Talisay for too long, saying that he will gladly accept any decision from the higher ranks including the local executives. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Iris Mariani B. Algabre (FREEMAN)