12 Northern Mindanao police chiefs sacked

TWELVE chiefs of police across Northern Mindanao have been relieved from their posts for "poor performance" in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) anti-illegal drugs campaign Oplan "Double Barrel".

Police Regional Office (PRO) in Northern Mindanao regional director Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino said the relief order took effect September 5.

The relieved 12 police chiefs were identified as Inspector Charlie Nemeño (Kalilangan Municipal Police Station MPS in Bukidnon), Senior Inspector Alwin Baclao (Villanueva, Misamis Oriental MPS), Senior Inspector Evary Bacunawa (Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental MPS), Senior Inspector Gary Manguera (Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental MPS), Senior Inspector Jose Booc (Jimenez, Misamis Occidental MPS), Inspector Dennis Aranggo (Concepcion, Misamis Occidental MPS), Senior Inspector Dennis Tano (Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental MPS), Senior Inspector Ansari Pagador (Pantar, LDN MPS), Inspector Mohammad Doro (Tangkal, LDN MPS), Senior Inspector Guillermo Hamot (Station 3 in Iligan City), and Inspector Julio Catayoc (Guinsiliban MPS).

Constantino said the relief order came after a two months performance assessments, reports evaluation and validation, and consultation and recommendation from the project "Double Barrel" oversight committee.

"They were evaluated as to their performance output including drug personality list generation, household visitations, search warrants implemented, arrest warrants served, filing of drug cases in court, and other police operations conducted," Constantino said.

The top police official in the region said the relieved chiefs of police have been replaced temporarily by their deputies pending the appointment of their replacements.

Superintendent Surki Sereñas, PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson, said the 12 chiefs have been detailed at the provincial police office or the city police office as staff officers for at least a year of "probation period".

"They should vacate their position and give way for the officers who will replace them," Sereñas said.

Sereñas, on the other hand, lauded the performance of police stations in Cagayan de Oro City.

"So far, mubo ang CDO (Cagayan de Oro) police sa household visitations and sa mga surrenderees pero leading sa number of arrest and operations conducted," Sereñas said.

Sereñas also revealed that provincial and city directors are expected to be reshuffled at the end of September. (With a report from Erwin Mascariñas)