DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) – Police Regional Office 18 (PRO-18) regional commander Chief Supt. Renato Gumban has recommended the relief of eight police officers from Region 18 due to their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in Negros Island Region (NIR).
Gumban issued the statement Monday while in Dumaguete City for the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting presided by Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
He said the eight police officers are with the rank of superintendents and chief inspectors.
Gumban believes that without their presence in NIR, a lot of police officers with lower ranks from PO1 to SPO4s as well as senior police inspectors and police inspectors will voluntarily surrender because their leader cannot anymore orchestrate in the distribution of illegal drugs.
He further said the names of the eight police officers in NIR have undergone thorough validation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City and by the different intelligence units. They are users, pushers or protectors.
Once relieved, a reshuffling of chiefs of police is expected in Region 18, Gumban pointed out.
Gumban declined to say where these eight senior police officers are assigned, whether in Negros Oriental or Negros Occidental.
As for so-called narco-politicians, Gumban said a lot of names were listed in a white paper but through analysis would point to political motivation so far.
Gumban reiterated a warning for police officers who are into illegal drugs not to wait for the ax to fall on their heads.
They have the option to file their early retirement so they can still have their pay and benefits with them, while the validation is sting going on.