BACOLOD CITY – Two-hundred sixty-nine policemen with family members or relatives running in this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Negros Occidental have been temporarily reassigned to other police stations in the province.
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental police, said that 268 are non-commissioned officers and one is a commissioned officer.
Catalogo said their reassignment started last week of August.
He said that Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca of the Silay City Police Station was among those reassigned. His post was temporarily assumed by his deputy chief, Police Major Rhea Sarah Villanueva.
Based on the guidelines of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), Catalogo said they can be transferred to not more than two cities or municipalities away from their previous assignment or residence.
They will return to their previous assignment after the election, he added. “This is to ensure neutral and non-partisan politics,” Catalogo said.