19 Davao police station chiefs relieved

NINETEEN station commanders of the Davao City police were ordered relieved as part of the PNP’s efforts to improve delivery of police services in the city.

PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Davao police regional office, ordered the relief of the officers effective last Monday.

Fajardo said the sacking of the station commanders was an “exercise of the prerogative and authority” of Torre.

“This decision was discussed among themselves,” said Fajardo, referring to officials of the Davao regional police.

“The intention is to further improve the delivery of police service and regain the trust of the people to the (PNP in the) region,” said Fajardo.

The relief of the station commanders came a week after Torre noted 22 killings and 41 incidents of rape in Davao City this year.

“Knowing the new regional director of PRO 11 (Police Regional Office 11), his decision to relieve these officers has basis,” said Fajardo of Torre, who assumed as the region’s police chief last month.

Davao region spokeswoman Maj. Catherine dela Rey said it is Torre’s prerogative to assign and reassign police officers in the region.

She said the relieved officers were reassigned to provincial offices and regional PNP headquarters.

She said the successors of the 19 officers also came from different provincial offices and regional headquarters.

Dela Rey said the relief of the 19 officers was not directly related to the killings and rape incidents in the city.

“He (Torre) assigned new station commanders to improve police service in Davao City,” said Dela Rey, adding the newly-assigned station commanders are “capable” commanders.

“It’s a regular movement of officers. In the PNP, officers come and go. Anytime, we can be relieved and reassigned. The commander (regional director) has the prerogative (to order this),” said Dela Rey.

She said the relief of the officers has no political color and is not related to the related to fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is wanted for child abuse and human trafficking.

Dela Rey said the 19 officers are not being subjected to any administrative investigation following their relief.