KUDOS to the leadership of Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) for sacking 20 policemen and one non-uniformed personnel in the Bacolod City Police Office effective June 6 for allegedly being involved in illegal activities.
The concerned policemen, one commissioned officer and 19 non-commissioned officers, were transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) in the regional police headquarters in Iloilo City.
PRO-6 refused to identify them as the investigation is still ongoing.
It is also not clear what kind of illegal activities they were engaged in, either in the illegal drug trade or illegal gambling.
Superintendent Joem Malong, public information officer of PRO-6, said the relief of the policemen was anchored on the intensified internal cleansing program of policemen in Western Visayas.
This came few days after the new acting regional director, Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, was installed. He replaced Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag.
Bulalacao had stressed he will not tolerate erring police officers. And apparently, he’s dead serious about it.
The Bacolod City Police Office, through Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said the relief of the 20 policemen will have an effect on the strength of the city police force.
Vargas, public information officer of BCPO, said they respect the decision of the regional headquarters.
She said they are hoping PRO-6 will replace the sacked personnel to compensate the loss.
At present, the city police force has 620 personnel.
BCPO assured the public they will continue to do their duty and responsibility to serve and protect the people of Bacolod.