‘MISSING IN ACTION’: Two police chiefs, 46 others told to explain absence

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

FORTY-eight police officers, including two police chiefs, were told to explain their absences from duty on Sept. 30, 2019.

Police Colonel Roland Vilela, Iloilo police chief, said the concerned police officers have 24 hours upon receipt of the order to submit their written explanation.

Vilela did not name the officers but the 46 cops are from the police stations of Pavia, Oton, San Miguel, Maasin, and Cabatuan.

The chiefs of police are assigned in Pavia and Cabatuan.

Vilela said he’s been informed that the Cabatuan police chief was on leave yesterday.

“But I would like to know why was he on leave when we were on full alert status on Monday,” he said.

During full alert status, all leaves of absence are cancelled.

The full alert status was raised following the nationwide transport strike of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The 48 police personnel’s absence was discovered after their stations failed to submit a “situationer” relative to the ongoing transport strike.

Their failure prompted Vilela to inspect their police stations where it was learned that some cops were absent from their post.

“I would like to hear their explanation still. If it has merit, then no administrative charges would be filed,” he said.

Vilela said he will pursue administrative cases against officers who fail to explain their absence.