11 Antique cops relieved for ‘minor misdemeanors’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Eleven commissioned officers of the Antique Police Provincial Office (AnPPO) were instantly relieved from their posts for various reasons.

While most of their “misdemeanors” were deemed minor, Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, couldn’t simply turn a blind eye to them.

The reasons for their relief ranged from failure to stop the Peryahan Games (or Peryahan ng Bayan) operations, non-observance of Tamang Bihis (proper attire), blunder to follow instructions, to not knowing their area of operations well.

Francisco made the decision during his first command visit to the APPO headquarters on Sept 10, 2022.

On the same day, he ordered the relief of:

-Lieutenant Colonel Alfredo Sumaray – AnPPO headquarters

-Lt. Col. Joseph Puno – AnPPO headquarters

-Major Joshua Villasis – AnPPO headquarters

-Major Adolfo Pagharion – Culasi Municipal Police Station

-Captain Bryan Alamo – Laua-an MPS

-Lieutenant Harry Jhun Amar – Culasi MPS

-Lt. Paul Joseph Oberio – Bugasong MPS

-Captain Jeremy Ian Magbanua – San Remegio MPS

-Captain Horizon Villanueva – Hamtic MPS

-Captain Narciso Sables – Pandan MPS

-Lt. Col. Benjo Clarite – San Jose MPS

Colonel Alexander Mariano, Antique police chief, said they will all be assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) based in Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 headquarters in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.

Of the 11 officers, Mariano said only Clarite was relieved due to the existence of the outlawed Peryahan.

“It’s been a policy and instruction from higher headquarters to conduct anti-illegal gambling operations. May policy na dyan to stop all forms of illegal gambling,” he said.

In the case of San Jose town, Peryahan Games do exist, although the local police have arrested certain persons.

But members of the Regional Intelligence Division managed to pull off a successful operation against Peryahan operation.

As to the other officers, “‘yung iba kasi hindi maka-follow ng simple instructions like template in reporting,” he said.

UNIFORMS AND KNOWLEDGE

There were officers who reportedly got Francisco’s ire because of their appearance or how they wore their uniforms.

“Alam mo naman, men in uniform should be dignified. We are setting standards kasi. When we wear the uniform, it represents authority. They should wear their uniform with dignity,” Mariano said.

Sadly, there were officers who also failed to answer some questions about their area of operations.

“Being the chief of police, you have to know your job. You have to know the situation of your municipalities. It so happened na pag nagtatanong si RD, hindi nakakasagot ‘yung mga chiefs of police,” he said.

Because of the reasons mentioned, “We decided to temporarily relieve them from their post and to be assigned to the regional headquarters to undergo a refresher course,” Mariano said.

All relieved personnel will undergo a 7-day refresher course to be handed by the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division under Colonel Leah Rose Peña.

“Ang kagandahan lang dito, RD (Regional Director Francisco) will be a speaker in one of the lectures that would be conducted,” Mariano said.

With the mass relief, it was gathered that the remaining officers will be acting in a concurrent capacity.

“They have to multi-task. It’s not permanent, anyway,” he said.

Mariano said that affected local chief executives have been informed of the decision “and they understand.”

“Although the reason could be considered minor offenses, what more ang mga mahihirap na instructions na hindi mo masunod, di ba?” he said.

In the end, Mariano said it’s a matter of instilling discipline among their personnel, especially on commissioned officers because “as officers should know their job better.”

“This will just be a reminder to them. It’s not an administrative sanction,” he said.