Guisihan relieved as provincial police head, but gets promotion

CEBU, Philippines - Pending the result of the fact-finding investigation on his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Carles town of Iloilo, Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, outgoing director of the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO), has been promoted.

Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr., Police Regional Office-6 director, confirmed yesterday that Guisihan was relieved as NOPPO chief effective July 10, 2012 and reassigned as officer-in-charge of the PRO-6 directorial staff, the fourth highest post in the police force of Western Visayas.

Guisihan was NOPPO director for almost two years, having assumed the post in 2010. At the PRO-6, he will take over the post formerly occupied by Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga who was promoted to deputy regional director for operations.

Guisihan’s relief order also named Sr. Supt. Milko Lirazan as his replacement at NOPPO. Lirazan left his post as chief of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion and will be replaced by Supt. Samuel Mina.

“So, his relief has nothing to do whether he was found guilty of the accusations hurled against him or not. It is a promotion for him,” Querol said.

Earlier, Mayor Arnold Betita of Carles mentioned in one of his media interviews that Guisihan and another officer of ICPO were alleged protectors of illegal miners. The police official was also accused of deploying armed men to the mining site.

Guisihan admitted though of knowing some workers and acknowledged being a “consultant” to the mining firm owned by Negrense businessman Eric Lacson.

Guisihan, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1983, has edged the likes of Sr. Supt. Marietto Valerio, director of the Iloilo City Police Office, and Sr. Supt. Gil Lebin, director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office.

Valerio and Lebin were the two officials who were known to be vying for the post left by Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga, who was promoted deputy regional director for operations of PRO-6.

Senior Supt. Manuel Felix, PRO-6 deputy director for administration, said the transfer of Guisihan was a promotion, and not because of unresolved cases in Negros Occidental, like the murder of Kabankalan Judge Henry Arles, and the murder of four barangay officials in Silay City in March 2011.

Felix said Guisihan performed well during his stint as NOPPO director, especially in the campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling.  - THE FREEMAN