PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the relief of the Bacolod City Police chief and four other police officers over alleged drug links, a police official said Sunday.
Western Visayas Police director Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said Duterte ordered the immediate relief of Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, Bacolod City chief of police; and Superintendents Richie Yatar and Nasruddin Daud Tayuan, Senior Superintendent Allan Rubi Macapagal and Senior Inspector Victor Paulino.
Bulalacao said Duterte made the statement on Saturday evening, January 12, in an event in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.
“His (Duterte) directive was for me to bring Ebreo to him in Malacañang. That is why I am now on my way to Manila,” said Bulalacao.
He said he was surprised and sad to learn about the allegation against Ebreo, noting that he has been “performing well” as Bacolod police chief.
Bulalacao said he has never received any previous report about Ebreo's alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
“The (four) other (policemen), there were already derogatory reports on their alleged involvement in illegal drugs,” said Bulalacao.
In fact, he said Tayuan was relieved from his post months ago.
Ebreo will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Henry Farnaso Binas. (SunStar Philippines)