POLICE Major Ruel Culanag, chief of Police Station 3, was relieved from his post effective January 17.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Monday, January 20, that Culanag was relieved from his post following the escape of four detainees from their custodial facility on January 6.
The relief order was signed by BCPO director Colonel Henry Binas.
Pico said Culanag's post will be occupied by BCPO's deputy city director for administration Lieutenant Colonel Levy Pangue.
He said Culanag was reassigned to BCPO Headquarters and he is now in" floating status."
"He was relieved because of what happened on their station and there will be more personnel in Police Station 3 to be relieved soon," he added.
On January 6, the four detainees Sunny Capa; Ely Lorence Sazon, 22, of Barangay 3; Michael Penoso, 25, of Barangay 2, all facing charges for violation of illegal drugs; and Jeffrey Elangos, 38, of Barangay Banago, who is facing child abuse charges, escaped by cutting off the iron bar of the custodial facility in Barangay Mandalagan.
The following day, all of them voluntarily surrendered to authorities and they were already turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Culanag's deputy commander Lieutenant Vergel Valdepena was also relieved from his post after the incident, while jail officer Police Staff Sergeant Eric Olverio and desk officer Police Corporal Orwayne Jade Nadado were charged for infidelity in the custody of prisoner and administrative charges.
Pico said Culanag's relief should serve as warning to other police station chiefs to do their job.
"If you're committing mistake, we will not tolerate that. You should face the sanction," he added.
Pico said Police Station 9 chief Lieutenant Jonito Pastrana, as well as his two personnel were also subject for an investigation following the escape of their detainee on Friday, January 17, and they might be also transferred soon.