Manila police commander sacked

MANILA, Philippines — Another police station commander in Manila was relieved from his post, Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco announced yesterday.

Francisco removed Lt. Col. Christopher Luyun as chief of the Sta. Ana police station for failure to supervise his personnel in reporting to work.

Luyun will be investigated for neglect of duty after he failed to explain why fewer police officers were on duty during an inspection yesterday, Francisco said.

“Our assessment is that he is not on top of the situation,” he said.

Luyun was the second police station commander sacked since Francisco took over as MPD chief on Dec. 1.

Last week, Malate police station commander Lt. Col. Robert Sales was relieved from his post for failure to deploy more personnel on beat patrol.

There were only five police officers on beat patrol in Malate when Francisco conducted an inspection.

The MPD has deployed 87 police officers in Divisoria, Ylaya street and Recto to remind shoppers to comply with COVID-19 health protocols, Francisco said.

The police force was augmented by 70 Special Action Force troopers.

Manila policemen would use yantok or rattan stick not to hit the shoppers but to ensure that they follow social distancing measures, according to Francisco.

Police will give free face masks during beat patrol, he added.