Town police chief sacked after linking town, brgy execs in illegal drugs

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has confirmed a minor reshuffling of municipal police chiefs.

Headlining the reshuffling was Lieutenant Ryan Christ Inot of the Bingawan Municipal Police Station.

Inot was relieved a week after he bared that they are validating reports of the alleged involvement of a municipal and a barangay official in the illegal drug trade in Bingawan.

Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, Iloilo police chief, confirmed Inot’s relief which took effect on Nov. 30.

Palomo said Inot has not validated nor reported the alleged involvement of local officials to the IPPO leadership.

He cited that Inot should have been responsible for releasing unverified statements.

These reports, Palomo added, should also be relayed to the IPPO headquarters.

Meanwhile, Major Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson, said that the earlier statement of Mayor Mark Palabrica against Inot’s report has nothing to do with the latter’s relief order.

“It’s a commander’s discretion. We put on hold his relief because it was still the election period until Nov. 29,” he said.

Araño cited that subordinate commanders should be circumspect when releasing statements that are raw and still subject to further investigation.

In the meantime, Inot will be reassigned to the IPPO headquarters.

It was gathered that Lieutenant Dandy Ilalto, outgoing Banate police chief, will take over Inot.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Renzo Martinez will leave Estancia Municipal Police Station and take over Ilalto’s post.

Captain Hector Ayagan is now the chief of Estancia Municipal Police Station.

Last week, Inot was quoted to have said they are validating the truth behind the involvement of the two local officials in the illegal drug trade in Bingawan.

He declined to give further details on the positions being occupied by the said officials.

The information came after the arrest of Menandro Gililang, 44, of Zone 7, Barangay Balabag, Santa Barbara, Iloilo.

Shabu worth P2.4 million was seized from his possession.

Gelilang has allegedly claimed that they are supporting a municipal and a barangay official.

By support, it was assumed that Gelilang and his group provided drug protection money to the duo.