PRO-18 head warns cop chiefs: Act vs narco cops or you will be relieved from post

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Uncovering the alleged involvement of 28 policemen in the illegal drug trade, provincial and city police directors in Negros Island Region (Region 18) have been warned of being relieved from their respective positions, should their subordinates are found to be involved in the illegal drugs.

Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, regional director of the Police Regional Office-18, issued the stern warning, as the number of police officers involved in drugs had increased to 28.

These policemen were already relieved from their respective assignments at the Bacolod City Police Office and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), and re-assigned to Mindanao and northern Luzon.

If a police chief has two personnel involved in drugs, he will be relieved. Same policy also applies to provincial and city police directors that if two of his police chiefs or precinct commanders are linked to drugs, declared Gumban, during the 1st anniversary rites of the PRO-18 on Thursday at its semi-permanent headquarters at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

Gumban said that if that happens, then it shows that a police chief, provincial or city police director, fails in his counter-intelligence effort in his unit. He however said he can only recommend for the relief of these police officials.

The third batch of PNP members relieved from NIR on November 28 consisted of 14 police non-commissioned officers. Gumban said their alleged involvement to illegal drugs has been validated by five intelligence units.

Policemen assigned at the NOCPPO with links to drugs are next to be relieved, he added. But he did not disclose how many are they, although he hinted that the number is increasing.

Contrary to claims that NIR policemen are low in morale because of the re-assignment of police officers from NIR to as far as in Sulu and Basilan, Gumban said only those linked to drugs are experiencing such, but not those who are “good ones.”

Gumban said: “We officials, just come and go, but the organization will remain. We should not destroy the organization. We should protect the organization, such as by cleansing the ranks (of scalawags),”

As to how PRO-18 will replace those relieved and soon-to-be relieved, Gumban said it has 300 new police recruits, as well as new graduates from the Philippine National Police Academy, who will replace them. “There will be no shortage of police personnel,” he added.  (FREEMAN)