Top cop confirms relief of Victorias police chief

POLICE Provincial Director Allan Guisihan confirmed on Thursday that Victorias City police chief Alexander Muñoz will be relieved from his post.

Guisihan said he is set to see Victorias City Mayor Severo Palanca, who reportedly opposed Muñoz’s relief, to explain why the city’s top cop will be relieved from his position.

Guisihan said he is just implementing the orders from Philippine National Police (PNP) regional director Cipriano Querol who ordered the relief of Muñoz after the Victorias police chief reportedly released an arrested suspect involved in illegal gambling activities.

The suspect was apprehended by the Regional Special Operations Group and was placed under the custody of Muñoz.

Guisihan said the suspect’s release apparently without following proper procedure is an infraction on the part of Muñoz.

Muñoz, however, denied the allegation and claimed that some persons who want him out of his position are behind the move.

He said he has accomplished a lot in terms of the campaign against illegal gambling but these achievements seem to be ignored by the PNP.

He denied that he allowed the suspect to leave the detention cell.

What happened, according to Muñoz, was that he had the suspect accompanied by a police officer to get proof and documentation.

The suspect and the police officer accompanying him came back after two hours. He lamented that the inspection was timed during those two hours that the suspect accompanied by the police officer was still out.

Muñoz hoped an investigation can be conducted so that he can defend himself. (Teresa D. Ellera)