Camotes police chiefs dismissed for poor performance in drug war

TALIÑO

THE Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has relieved the police station chiefs of all four municipalities on Camotes Island, northeast Cebu due to their “dismal performance” in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, PRO-7 director, replaced Senior Insp. Janus Giangan, chief of police of San Francisco town, Insp. Sigmund Freud Cruz (Tudela town), Insp. Jade Sumugat (Poro town) and Insp. Emmanuel Rabaya (Pilar town).

They were directed to report to the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Central Visayas (RPSB-7).

Appointed new police stations chiefs were Senior Insp. Philip John Libres (San Francisco town), Senior Insp. Cecilio Pañares (Tudela town), Senior Insp. Roberto Hugo (Poro town) and Insp. Cesar Carlos Alburo (Pilar town).

At least 18 policemen from the four police stations were also ordered to undergo the Balik Eskwela program, a refresher course to update them about the operations of the Philippine National Police.

A turnover ceremony was held at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) , Thursday morning.

Senior Supt. Eric Noble, CPPO director, encouraged the affected policemen to embrace their new assignments.

“Do not be dismayed. Do not feel sad. Smile. Reshufflings are part of our job as policemen. We adhere to the wisdom of our bosses,” said Noble.

“You, in the field, just have to follow orders and deliver what is required of you,” he added while trying to console the police officers who were relieved from their posts as well as those given new assignments.

Noble said policemen should not waste time in proving their worth especially in the middle of the war against illegal drugs.

“We are in a battle. And like basketball, we need to make some substitutions and adjustments. You just have to be excellent in your work. Do your job with gusto,” he told policemen during the ceremony.

“As managers, the higher-ups just have to make the necessary adjustments. Perhaps, they (relieved station chiefs) need to rest for a while,” he said in an interview.