Caraga top cop axed over illegal logging

MANILA, Philippines -  Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has ordered the relief of Region 10 director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal for his alleged failure to stop illegal logging in his area of responsibility.

Bartolome said Rafal should be held liable under the principle of command responsibility after at least seven police chiefs in his area were dismissed for failure to act against rampant illegal logging activities.

“Effective today, I have relieved Chief Superintendent Rafal…He performed well but the magnitude of illegal logging activities in his area is so much,” Bartolome told reporters.

Bartolome said Rafal would be made to explain on the apparent inaction of his men against illegal logging.

In his State of the Nation Address last July 23, President Aquino said a regional director of the PNP was asked “to explain why he seemed deaf to our directives and blind to the colossal logs that were being transported before his very eyes.”

 “If you do not shape up, you will be next. Even if you tremble beneath the skirts of your patrons, we will find you. I suggest that you start doing your jobs, before it’s too late,” Aquino said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo earlier ordered the relief of eight police officers of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur after P16 million in illegally cut logs were intercepted and seized by authorities while being transported to a saw mill in Cagayan de Oro City last month.

Relieved were acting Agusan del Sur police director Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Dasmariñas and seven police chiefs, namely Senior Inspector Ronnel Bangalisan of Esperanza; Senior Inspector Joel Liong of San Luis; Senior Inspector Ehpraim Detuya of Talacogan; Senior Inspector Wilson Corpuz of Loreto; Inspector Jesse Rey de Gracia of Las Nieves; and Senior Superintendent Pedro Obaldo Jr., officer-in-charge of the Butuan City police.