ELEVEN police officers, mostly relieved station commanders from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), have been reassigned to the provincial police offices of the Police Regional Office XI, effective Aug. 30.
According to a special order obtained by TIMES, the officers include one lieutenant colonel, five majors, and five captains. They were reassigned from the Regional Police and Holding Accounting Section to the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office (DSPPO), Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office (DDOPPO), and Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO).
Major Catherine Dela Rey, PRO XI spokesperson, confirmed on Wednesday evening that these officers were reassigned from other offices, as per the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division (RPRMD or R1).
Dela Rey added that she still needs to check with the Regional Internal Affairs Service XI regarding the resolution of the case involving the 19 station commanders previously relieved from their posts.
On July 9, nineteen police officials were relieved from their positions as station commanders. This shake-up was confirmed by PRO-11 spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey, following a directive from regional director BGen. Nicholas Torre.
A few months ago, Dela Rey clarified that the relief of the 19 station commanders was a routine procedure.
“Replacing these officers is part of the job and falls under the command’s prerogative to assign and reassign personnel,” Dela Rey stated.
“The relieved commanders have been reassigned within PRO XI, and new officers from the region have taken their places,” she added.
Dela Rey emphasized that the decision was not personal, political, or related solely to the unsuccessful arrest of Pastor Quiboloy or recent crime statistics in Davao City. “Our commitment is to prevent crime and ensure public safety,” she said.
“PRO XI Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre has the authority to evaluate and reassign officers to best serve these goals.”
Torre earlier revealed that the relief of the 19 station commanders was due to the manipulation of police blotters.
Months ago, the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) XI recommended amending a Philippine National Police (PNP) memorandum that confused police officers regarding how to handle crime incidents.
This recommendation came amid an investigation into over 100 Davao City policemen accused of manipulating police blotters.
Last May, then-DCPO Chief Col. Richard Bad-ang and 34 others, including six station commanders, five deputy commanders, and 23 police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs), were relieved from their posts based on recommendations from the Police Regional Office’s Regional Internal Affairs Service.
This was in connection with an investigation into the deaths of seven individuals during drug operations in March.
File Photo: Bing Gonzales
