Guv to question police official's relief

Saturday, April 2, 2011

DAGUPAN CITY – Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. is set to question the unceremonious relief of Superintendent Joseph Wilson Lopez from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO).

Lopez was the chief of PPPO’s Intelligence branch and concurrent chief of the Special Operations Group (SOG).

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Espino, a former high-ranking police officer, was reportedly the last person to learn about the relief of one of his most trusted police officers in the province.

Even Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Rosueto Ricaforte was surprised with Lopez's sudden relief, he said.

“Para akong sinampal dito. Ako ang governor, and the police are under me. Ako ang in-charge ng peace and order ng Pangasinan. I am also the chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council. Kung sino man ang nag-relief sa kanya, the chief o the PNP or the DILG, hindi nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa. We were not consulted,” he slammed.

Espino said he has sent a letter to Police Director General Raul Bacalzo, a copy of which will also be furnished to the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Undersecretary for Peace and Order Rico Puno.

The letter would help express the province's sentiments regarding Lopez's relief, Espino said.

"Nagtataka kami kung saan galing ang relief order niya samantanlang maganda naman ang performance ni Col. Lopez," he said.

Espino said Lopez played a big role in the campaign against insurgency in the province which later led to the declaration of Pangasinan as insurgency free by the Philippine Army.

The police officer also helps out in other projects of the governor such as the river clean-up drive, among others.

“Hindi ako nakikialam kahit kailan sa assignments, promotions or whatever ng mga officers dito sa Pangasinan dahil ako mismo ay masama ang aking loob sa Philippine National Police. Nasaktan ako noon panahon ni President Joseph Estrada. I was a national awardee as police provincial director and later sa regional director. But I was relieved na walang kadahidahilan,” he narrated.

“Ayaw kong maranasan niya ang naranasan ko na sama ng loob sa serbisyo na pinaglingkuran ko ng mahusay, tapos tatanggalin ka na walang dahil. Dadalhin mo yan psychologically,” Espino remarked.

“Akala ko nagbago na tayo, na nasa matuwid na daan na? Dapat maituwid ito, hindi yong pinaglalaruan nila ang careen ng mga police officials,” he further said.

In a text message, Lopez said he received the relief order on March 29. However, the order was effective March 21.

Lopez said he continues to follow orders just like any professional officer even though his transfer to Camp Crame was unexpected. Such movement is part and parcel of the police service, he said. (Sunnex)