Two police chiefs and three other policemen assigned in southern Negros were relieved from their positions effective yesterday.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental police director, said the relief of the Ilog police chief, Senior Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, was ordered by PNP chief Avelino Razon Razon, following complaints lodged at Camp Crame .

Newly-promoted Supt. Jomil John Trio also confirmed last night his relief as police chief of Sipalay City .

Franco ordered the relief of Trio and three other Sipalay policemen and their re-assignment to Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City , pending investigation into the alleged existence of gambling activities within the police station.

Franco, however, came to the rescue of the Ilog police chief saying he had not committed any lapses, contrary to allegations hurled against him.

Franco said Gutierrez will be reinstated to his position as soon as he is cleared of liability in connection with the death of 73-yearold Rodolfo Gemora of Ilog town last month, filed against him at the Office of the Chief PNP.

Gutierrez said robbery with homicide charges were filed against suspects identified as Marjun Demonteverde and Johnvic Bandolos, who were tagged as behind the brutal killing of Gemora in December last year.

Initial police investigations show that family members of Gemora complained on failure of the Ilog police to arrest the suspects who were reportedly roaming around in the poblacion.

Franco said they could not apprehend the two suspects as the court had not yet issued an arrest warrant against them.

Gutierrez said the criminal complaint was only filed on Dec. 27, several days after the death and burial of Gemora Expressing his surprise on the relief order, he added, the Gemora family even thanked him for filing the criminal complaint against the suspects

Franco said the relief of Gutierrez also caught Ilog Mayor Joyce Alvarez off-guard.

He said Camp Crame may have not been fully aware of the investigation and extra efforts of the Ilog police in filing of cases against the suspects.

Meanwhile, Franco said the three Sipalay policemen – PO1 Albert Manguilimotan, PO1 Glen Galilea and PO1 Joel Ambagan – who are being investigated for misconduct, in connection with the illegal gambling activity at the police station, will be temporarily assigned at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City .

SPO2 Ric Bontigao, deputy police chief of Ilog, was designated by Franco as the temporary successor of Gutierrez.

Franco said he is still scouting for the replacement of Trio as Sipalay police chief. However, the name of Chief Inspector Arnel Arpon cropped up last night as the possible successor of Trio.

Trio was on a New Year's break when ABS-CBN recorded illegal gambling activity within the police station, and that his deputy was the acting police chief, police records showed.*GPB

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