The re-assignment of three Negrense policemen, who formerly served as security escorts of Mayor Melecio Yap, back to the Escalante City Police Station got the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental and the Escalante City Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Members of the Escalante SP approved a resolution that maintained that the relief of SPO1 Angel Sinadjan, SPO1 Rene Anida and SPO1 Heracleo Canete from the Escalante City Police Station, and transfer to Iloilo City, was made without the required due process.

Anida, Canete and Sinadjan used to be detailed as security escorts of Yap, when they were relieved from the Escalante police, three months ago.

The Escalante SP, in the resolution, of which a copy was furnished to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, regional police director of Western Visayas, committed a “discourteous act” in re-assigning the three policemen to other areas, without observing due process.

The Negros Occidental SP, on motion of Board Member Renato Gustilo, Peace and Order Committee chairman, also took a similar stand as the Escalante SP, on the reinstatement of the three policemen.

Querol had earlier justified their relief by citing Napolcom memorandum Circular No. 93-013, which states that, while prior consultation with the local chief executive concerned on personnel action is desirable and suggested, it is not mandatory but merely discretionary on the part of the PNP.           

In his letter to the Negros Occidental SP, Querol claimed that the continued stay of the three policemen at the Escalante City police station would greatly affect the conduct of a fair and impartial investigation of the alleged extra-judicial killings in the city from 2007 to 2010, and the delivery of public safety services.

The Police Regional Office 6 has already taken over the investigation of the 18 incidents of alleged extra-judicial killings in Escalante since 2007.

Querol, who did not attend the closed-door executive session with the provincial council last week, said  the transfer of policemen is not a disciplinary action which requires due process, but a tactical move  for  the exigency of the service.*GPB

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