4 Laguna police chiefs replaced

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Four local police chiefs were relieved by the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership as part of an ongoing reorganization, Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Florendo Saligao said yesterday.

Saligao said the relief will take effect next week.

To be replaced are Superintendent Ericson Dilag of San Pablo City, Senior Inspector Noel Valdez of Liliw, Senior Inspector Ireneo Villeza of Rizal and Senior Inspector Mederic Mati-ong of Alaminos.

Among the candidates for San Pablo’s top police post are Superintendents Francis Allan Reglos, Andres Simbajon, Marvin Saro and Sergio Manacop.

Saligao said the mayors of the four areas approved the relief of their chiefs of police.

The reorganization of the Laguna police started last year with the removal of the police chiefs of Siniloan, Nagcarlan, San Pedro City, Calamba City, Victoria and Cabuyao.

“Some police officers are overstaying. We also considered failure to solve the series of shooting incidents in their area of jurisdiction, as well as relatively poor performance,” he said.

Saligao said Superintendent Leonardo Luna was recalled the other day from his post as Cabuyao police chief after he was cleared by the Regional Investigation Division headed by Senior Superintendent Fausto Manzanilla.

Luna, who was accused of violating a police training policy, was among the six police officers relieved last year.

Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Calabarzon police director, said the revamp is also expected to affect the police officials in Batangas and Cavite based on the performance governance system of the PNP.

Gatchalian, who will retire on Jan. 22, warned that all local police chiefs who failed to eradicate illegal gambling and other crimes would be affected by the revamp.