Senior Supt. Charles Calima, Negros Occidental police director, yesterday said he has addressed the request of Candoni Mayor Liberty Manzano and has replaced the town's police chief, Inspector Gil Flores, with Inspector Cesarlin Delubio who has been directed to initiate reforms.

Manzano had earlier asked Gov. Joseph Marañon for his intercession in the relief of Flores and other policemen of the town, some of whom, she said, engage in illegal gambling. Marañon said it was the task of Calima to look into the complaints of Manzano and to act on them.

Manzano, asked that with the exception of six policemen, the rest of the Candoni police force be relieved.

She said that, except for the six, the rest do not wear their uniforms even when they are on detail at the municipal building.

Those who are supposed to be on duty are seen playing mahjong and tong-its in game houses, which is conduct unbecoming of police officers, she added.

Policemen on duty at night at the police station located at the municipal hall also do not urinate in the comfort rooms but at the entrance of the building, stinking up the area, she said.

"Even our flagpole located in front of our municipal hall is used as (a) kitchen where they grill fish on charcoal without dispensing of the embers," she said.

Flores, even if he is around, does not attend the flag ceremony every Monday and police visibility in the town has not been felt, she said.

Delubio, the new police chief said, disciplinary measures will be taken against policemen found to be involved in illegal activities, including gambling.

He said he has also instructed the policemen of the town to wear their uniforms as they are not CAFGUs.

Reforms are being put in place to address the concerns of the mayor, he said.*CPG

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