Iloilo, Capiz police chiefs relieved from posts

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

New police commanders have been designated to the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz effective Oct. 10, 2022.

In a memorandum from the PNP national command addressed to Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 director, the designation of Colonel Adrian Acollador as acting director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and Colonel Winston de Belen as provincial director of Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) were already terminated.

The order also designated Colonel Noel Aliño, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division, to replace Acollador in OIC (officer-in-charge) capacity while Colonel Lavis Camdas, chief of the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), will take over the Capiz PNP.

The memorandum was signed by Brigadier General Robert Rodriquez, chief of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.

Rodriguez, in a telephone interview, confirmed that the memorandum is as good as an order for the relief and designation of the officers involved.

Acollador was designated IPPO chief on Jan. 8, 2022, a day before the election period started while de Belen took over the helm of Capiz PNP weeks later.

Francisco confirmed the reports claiming that de Belen was relieved as part of the regular movement of personnel while “I personally requested for the relief of Acollador.”

When asked about Acollador’s relief, Francisco cited the many unresolved crimes in the province, including the highly-publicized Estancia shooting incident that killed three businessmen.

Reports also indicated that Francisco also showed pictures of “dirty” police stations in Iloilo province to PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr.

Prior to Acollador’s relief, reports claimed that Francisco told him to tender his resignation if he couldn’t do his job well.

Acollador was purportedly pushed to the edge and eventually tendered his resignation.

On de Belen, reports indicated that Governor Fredenil Castro asked for his relief.

Meanwhile, Francisco has also confirmed that Colonel Reynante Panay will take over Aliño’s post.

Aliño, Camdas, and Panay are members of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1998.

Camdas was formerly the chief of the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division (RLDDD) at PRO-6 while Aliño used to be with the Manila Police District.

On the other hand, Panay has been the director of the Santiago City Police Office and used to head the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – Region 8.