Negros city police chief sacked over killings

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The chief of Bayawan City police in Negros Oriental was relieved from his post yesterday for failing to solve the killings in his jurisdiction.

Lt. Col. Alfonso Enrique was transferred to the Negros Oriental police office as administrative officer.

Enrique was replaced by Lt. Col. Jodimar Bonilla as chief of the Bayawan police, according to Col. Julian Entoma, provincial police director.

Entoma said the failure to solve a series of murders in Bayawan City, including that of Councilor Alex Tizon, was among the reasons for Enrique’s relief.

Bonilla, former chief of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, was ordered to revise patrol plans and conduct checkpoints.

Earlier, Entoma sought the relief of the entire city police.

Of the seven murder incidents that occurred during the stint of Enrique, only one case had been filed.

Tizon, former police chief of Bayawan, was driving a sport utility vehicle when he was ambushed in Barangay Villareal on Feb. 18.

Police earlier said the murder could be job or politically related.

A special investigation task group has been created to probe Tizon’s murder.