Philippine Daily Inquirer Digital Edition

ILOILO CITY POLICE CHIEF, 106 COPS SACKED FOR ‘POOR PERFORMANCE’

—JOEY MARZAN

ILOILO CITY—The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas has sacked the chief of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and all 106 personnel of the city’s antidrug unit and a police station following their “subpar” performance in fighting crimes, especially against illegal drugs.

Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, director of the Western Visayas police, announced their relief on Friday, a day after the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit arrested 32 people and seized close to P1 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) in an anti-illegal drug operation in Mandurriao District’s Barangay Bakhaw.

Failed expectations

Relieved from their posts were Col. Leo Batiles, the ICPO director; all 15 personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU); and the 91 staff members of the Iloilo City Police Station 5 in Mandurriao district.

Batiles, who was due to retire in March, was replaced by Col. Joresty Coronica, the outgoing chief of the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division.

During a turnover of command at the ICPO on Friday, Francisco said he was not satisfied with the performance of the CDEU and the Iloilo City Police Station 5.

“We need [anti-]illegal drug accomplishments especially from the police covering our targeted areas. But unfortunately, upon my review and it’s based on records, they failed my expectations,” he added.

Regional operation

On Thursday, the RPDEU conducted an anti-illegal drug operation in Mandurriao district’s Barangay Bakhaw. The operation resulted in the arrest of 32 people, including 29 drug den visitors. A total of 135 grams of shabu worth P918,000 were also confiscated.

According to Francisco, the Philippine National Police needed accomplishments in its illegal drugs campaign.

The police general assured that station commanders who were doing well in their duties would be retained.

“I always believe that ‘why fix it if it ain’t broke,’” he said.

REGIONS

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2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

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Philippine Daily Inquirer