PNP chief Dionardo Carlos has designated 39 new provincial and city police chiefs throughout the country to ensure the police force will be apolitical in the coming national and local elections.
In an interview after the celebration of the PNP’s 31st foundation anniversary in Camp Crame, Carlos said the erstwhile provincial and city police chiefs were replaced a day before the start of the election period last January 8 “to avoid perception of bias.
“We want our PNP to be apolitical,” said Carlos.
Carlos said the replacements officers “will be there to level the playing field and make sure they are not biased to one candidate or another.”
The 29 new provincial police chiefs are Col. Julius Suriben (Ilocos Norte); Col. Emil Tumibay (Batanes), Col. Julio Go (Isabela), Col. Rommel Velasco (Bataan), Col. Jess Mendez (Nueva Ecija), Col. Rommel Ochave (Bulacan), Col. Reynante Cabico (Mindoro Oriental), Col. Byron Tabernilla (Albay), Col. Benjamin Balingbing Jr (Catanduanes), Col. Rolly Albaña (Masbate);
Col. Crisaleo Tolentino (Aklan), Col. Alexander Mariano (Antique), Col. Richard Baluis (Guimaras), Col Adrian Acollador (Iloilo), Col. Adrian Pamittan (Negros Occidental), Col. Winston De Bellen (Capiz), Col. Robert Lingbawan (Siquijor), Col. Edwin Balles (Leyte), Col. Arnulfo Tadefa (Northern Samar), Col. Richard Saadebra (Samar);
Col. Diomarie Albarico (Zamboanga del Sur), Col. Eufronio Obong Jr (Misamis Occidental). Col. Guisseppe Geralde (Davao del Sur), Col. Harold Ramos (North Cotabato), Col. Helson Walin (Agusan del Norte), Col. Renato Mercado (Surigao del Norte), Col. Pedro Martinez Jr (Basilan), Col. Maly Cula (Abra), and Col. Peter Tagtag Jr. (Kalinga).
Named city police chiefs are Col. Jaime Santos (Las Pinas), Col. Angel Garcillano (Muntinlupa), Col. Ronald Baesa (Taguig), Col. Diosdado Fabian (Angeles City), Col. Carlito Grijaldo Jr. (Olongapo), Col. Roberto Bucad (Puerto Princesa), Col. Nelson Pacalso (Naga), Col Ernesto Tagle (Cebu City), Col. Alexander Lorenzo (Zamboanga City) and Col. Paul Bometivo (Gen. Santos City).
PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said the 39 replaced officers were either nearing the completion of their two-year tour of duty as provincial or city policy chiefs or are relatives of some of candidates in the areas they were previously assigned.
“The bottom line is, at the end of the day, it’s to avoid these officers meddling into political situations. That’s among the factors considered,” said Alba.
Meanwhile, Interior Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya urged candidates in the coming elections to cooperate in the implementation of a Commission on Elections resolution pertaining to the conduct of the candidates during the election period.
The resolution, issued last November, set a number of guidelines during in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings, conventions, motorcades, caravans and miting de avances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution prohibited handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public.
Malaya said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the PNP and local government units to appoint “law enforcement officers” to supervise the implementation of the Comelec resolution.
Malaya warned candidates who will violate the guidelines will face stiff penalties, including imprisonment of one to six years with no right to probation; disqualification from holding any public office; and stripped of the right to vote.
He said the candidates may also be jailed for one to six months and fined P20,000 to P50,000.
The Comelec is pushing back the certification and posting of the voters list for the May 2022 polls to late March, instead of early this February. — With Gerard Naval
