Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao police chiefs relieved

The police directors of Southern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas have been relieved from their posts, the latter for allegedly failing to stop masiao, an illegal numbers game prevalent in the south, and highway robberies.

The relief of Chief Superintendent Eduardo Matillano as Southern Mindanao police director was seen as sudden since he was reportedly due for transfer either next month or in October. He headed the regional command for one and a half years.

Replacing Matillano was Chief Superintendent Isidro Lapeña, who served as this city’s police chief from 1996 to 1998.

Matillano will reportedly become the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Earlier reports said Matillano would be replaced by Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya, former Central Luzon police director, who, along with six other ranking police officers, was sacked by the National Police Commission last month for allegedly failing to curb illegal gambling.

"I’m happy to be back in Southern Mindanao since I’m a long-time resident of the area and my family has always been here," said Lapeña, who learned about his new assignment only the other day.

Prior to his new post, he served as assistant of Deputy Director General Edgardo Aglipay, former director of the National Capital Region Police Office. He is a member of Philippine Military Academy’s Class 1973.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who heads the Regional Peace and Order Council, welcomed Lapeña’s appointment.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., in an order dated Aug. 19, designated Chief Superintendent Dionisio Coloma as replacement of Chief Superintendent Nardito Yoro as Eastern Visayas police director.

Coloma had been in "floating status" at Camp Crame in the past two years. He once served in the Eastern Visayas police command from 1996 to 1997.

Coloma will formally assume his new post today in turnover rites to be presided over by Chief Superintendent Lucas Managuelod, head of the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.

Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio said Yoro will be reassigned to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).