New Iloilo police chief vows faster probe on Estancia case

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) PALIBOSFER will now have a new commander following the exit of Colonel Adrian Acollador as director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, said that Colonel Noel Aliño will not be the SITG commander.

“The SITG will still proceed with its investigation. Acollador and Amado would still be on board,” he said.

By Amado, Francisco refers to Lieutenant Joebert Amado, the former chief of Estancia Municipal Police Station who was also relieved from his post last week.

Francisco believed that the change in the SITG leadership won’t affect the ongoing investigation.

“We are working as one,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aliño said that he’s been following the case since it happened.

“But I would like to be briefed about the progress of the investigation once I formally take over the post,” he said.

But Aliño also submits to Francisco’s observation that the investigation has been slow.

“Gagawin ko na mapabilis ito,” he said.

If there’s one thing that Aliño would like to infuse into the SITG is to strengthen the teamwork among SITG units and that of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“I will personally go to the NBI. I would also personally talk to all the families of the slain victims,” he said.

Aliño said he will also push all units to work harder.

But aside from that, he said that he will maintain the SITG composition.

The Sept 14, 2022 shooting at Brgy. Villa Pani-an, Estancia resulted in the deaths of businessmen Jan Paul Mark Bosque, Mark Clarenz Libao and Chrysler Floyd Fernandes who are all residents of Iloilo City.

The only survivor of the incident is Jevron Parohinog of Estancia.