3 city police chiefs axed over illegal gambling

MANILA, Philippines — Three city police chiefs in Metro Manila were relieved from their posts for failing to address illegal gambling operations in their areas.

The memorandum terminating the designations of Colonels Noel Flores of Caloocan, Bernard Yang of Pasay and Gerardo Umayao of Muntinlupa was released on Friday upon the orders of Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“Their relief was done following the instruction from the chief PNP (Philippine National Police), Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, pursuant to his ‘one strike policy’ guidance on illegal gambling.” Sinas said in a statement.

Replacing Flores is Col. Dario Menor, the former mobile force commander of the Northern Police District while Umayao was replaced by Col. Hermogenes Duque, who was the Eastern Police District’s mobile force chief.

Lt. Col Deanry Romualdo Francisco was designated as the officer-in-charge of the Pasay police while the NCRPO is looking for Yang’s replacement.

Newly installed Southern Police District chief Col. Emmanuel Peralta said he will focus on enforcing a “no-take” policy following the removal of Yang and Umayao, as well as five precinct commanders from Muntinlupa and Pasay, from their posts.

He called on police officers to refuse “monetary or material consideration” from illegal gambling operators, drug dealers and “analogous illegal sources” during the turnover ceremony yesterday.

Peralta replaced outgoing SPD chief Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan, who was promoted as the deputy regional director for operations at the NCRPO.

Bathan recently figured in a controversy after he snatched a journalist’s smartphone and tried to delete a video of police officers beating up a devotee during last month’s Traslacion, a religious procession.

“Bathan’s apology was accepted. We already admonished him,” Sinas said.

Sinas also downplayed reports that Bathan was relieved for failing to address illegal gambling operations in his area. – With Ralph Edwin Villanueva