30 Davao City cops relieved

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Thirty police officers in this city, including seven station commanders, have been relieved from their posts.

Among those suspended were Lt. Col. Ronald Lao; Majors Rosario Aguilar, Jimmy Evangelista, Jemuel Mamolang, Joenel Pederio and Noel Villahermosa, and Captains Medardo Baleros, Ronnie Batingal, Henry Calvo, Marlon Donquilab and Jefferson Esccasinas. They said they were not aware why they were replaced.

On Wednesday, Davao City police chief Col. Richard Bad-ang was relieved from his post in connection with the death of seven drug suspects in March.

Maj. Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for the Davao region police, had said Brig. Gen. Aligre Martinez, chief of the regional police internal affairs service, recommended the relief of Bad-ang pending an investigation into drug-related killings in the city.

Col. Rolindo Suguilon, deputy regional director for operations, was named acting Davao City police chief.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared an all-out campaign against illegal drugs when he welcomed Bad-ang as city police chief in March.

The seven drug suspects were killed less than a week after Duterte’s declaration.