In Western Visayas: Purisima sacks 13 cop chiefs, probes 17 others

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines- Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima has ordered the relief of 13 chiefs of police in Western Visayas for allegedly violating the strict command policy on accurate crime reporting, according to a report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

At least 17 more former top police officials in Region 6, consisting of former provincial directors, will also undergo pre-charge investigation for alleged violation of a Command Memorandum Circular, issued last July 31, on "Reporting of All Crime Incidents and Providing Sanctions for Violations Thereof."

An audit, from Sept. 9 to 20, conducted by an 8-man team of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), under Director Francisco Don Montenegro, has uncovered the "under-reporting of crime data."

The audit further uncovered that at least 6,800 crime incidents or 41.6 percent of the cases were not reported by the Police Regional Office-6 to the DIDM.

The audit involved actual validation and inspection of police blotters of 27 police stations, comprising six police provincial offices and two city police offices under the PRO-6.

Purisima also sought an explanation from PRO-6 director, Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., why the directives of the PNP national headquarters on reporting of accurate crime data were not complied with.

Those relieved were: Senior Supt. Pedroto Escrilla, Aklan Provincial PNP director; Supts. John Limwell Villafranca of Kalibo, Aklan, David Cachumbo Jr. (Bago City, Negros Occidental), Calixto Mabugat (Kabankalan City, Negros Occ.) and Rosauro Francisco Jr. (Silay City, Negros Occ.);

Chief Insp. Norby Escobar (San Jose de Buenavista, Antique); Senior Insps. Elberto Pudadero (Sta. Barbara, Iloilo), Anthony Grande (Pulupandan, Negros Occ.), Ahlie Estember (Jordan, Guimaras), Ricky Bontogon (Ibajay, Aklan), Francisco Balais (Buruanga, Aklan), and Joefer Cabural (Boracay Tourist Assistance Center commander) and Insp. Frankie Gatila (Libertad, Antique). — Danny B. Dangcalan with PNA reports (FREEMAN)