ANOTHER intelligence officer in Davao Region was relieved from his post last month after he was tagged in the murder case of Laak town Mayor Reynaldo Navarro of Compostela Valley, who was ambushed in Davao del Norte two months ago.
Relived was PO3 Eduardo Badilla Bajalia of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), Davao del Norte. Bajalia was ordered relieved by Police Intelligence Group (IG) Director Diosdado Ramos, after he was accused as one of the suspects in the ambush-slay of the mayor.
Speaking at the AFP-PNP press conference at Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Senior Supt. Camilo Cascolan, chief of staff of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, said Bajalia was re-assigned to the Service Support Division (SSD) of the IG last June 16 after he was relieved from his post in Davao del Norte.
Bajalia along with one PO1 Simplecio Samar and retired police officer Diosdado Imelda, who were earlier accused by the New People's Army (NPA) to be among the "Big Four Logging Lords," were already placed under investigation.
"The investigation on the Navarro case is still ongoing," Cascolan said.
The rebels accused the so-called big four, including the late Navarro, for alleged involvement in illegal logging activities in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley Province, and Agusandel Sur, an accusation that Navarro earlier denied.
Navarro, onboard a white Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicle with plate number SHE-663, was on his way to Tagum City when six armed men riding in two motorcycles attacked his convoy upon reaching Km. 9 at Purok 12 in Barangay Sigayen in Asuncion, Davao del Norte around 8:20 a.m. on May 28.