11 Nueva Ecija police chiefs replaced

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – The Nueva Ecija police office has replaced 11 chiefs of police in two cities and nine towns.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cornel ordered replaced from their posts the police chiefs of the towns of Quezon, Licab, Laur, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Lupao, Nampicuan, Gabaldon and General Natividad, and the cities of San Jose and Muñoz.

Cornel designated Superintendent Ponciano Zafra, former deputy provincial director for investigation, as police chief of Muñoz.

San Jose City  Mayor Marivic Violago-Belena personally requested for the immediate relief of Superintendent Nolie Azuncion, who was replaced by Superintendent Reynaldo  dela Cruz.

Cornel cited overstaying, under-performance and mayors’ request as among the reasons for the reshuffle.

The police chiefs of Licab and Quezon reportedly failed to implement the Oplan Lambat Sibat.  

A spate of killings had been reported in the province in the past few months, victimizing two village chiefs, a former municipal councilors and a teacher, among others.

Police said the killings were perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men.