Razalan Relieved as Iloilo Police Chief Before Elections

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than two weeks after reports surfaced about his impending relief, Col. Bayani Razalan was officially relieved as Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director.

Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, confirmed he received Razalan’s relief order from the Philippine National Police national headquarters in Camp Crame late Saturday afternoon.

Wanky signed the order, which took effect Sunday, May 11, just one day before the midterm elections.

Col. Roland Bulalacao, Police Regional Office 6 chief of regional staff, has been designated officer-in-charge of IPPO.

Bulalacao was directed to pay a courtesy call on Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. immediately after assuming his new post.

Reports indicated Bulalacao had visited the IPPO the previous week.

It was unclear whether that visit was related to his assumption of the IPPO post, though sources claimed he had inquired about the assignment with the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division (RPRMD).

Razalan, meanwhile, has been reassigned as officer-in-charge of the RPRMD.

“He will replace Col. Winston de Belen, who was temporarily relieved while being investigated for an administrative case,” Wanky said.

As of press time, Wanky said no other key officials in the region were expected to be reassigned.

He also clarified that Razalan’s relief would not affect the province’s security preparations for Monday’s election.

“The preparations are already in place,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of executing them.”

News of Razalan’s possible relief first surfaced on April 25.

Because he is a third-level officer and it is an election period, clearance from the Commission on Elections central office was required.

Wanky maintained that the directive to relieve Razalan came from Camp Crame due to political reasons.

Reports suggest the IPPO chief drew the ire of an incumbent congressman following an April 14 incident in Barangay Maasin, Passi City, Iloilo.

It remains unclear whether the event was organized for political candidates, though the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 6 confirmed that a payout under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) was held at the same time.

An altercation occurred during the activity, and the arrival of two Special Weapons and Tactics personnel in a marked Toyota Vios patrol vehicle reportedly angered the congressman and his group.

Razalan was reportedly unaware of the SWAT personnel’s presence, as they were conducting routine patrols and merely passed by the area.

Observers questioned why the politicians were present during a government cash aid distribution event.

Earlier, Razalan stated he had no objections to his relief.

“As I’ve said, I’m a professional police officer, and I’m bound to follow orders,” he said.