DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office-11 confirmed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the transfer of 65 police officers and non-commissioned officers who had earlier been investigated for their alleged involvement in fatal drug operations and double blotter entries to other parts of the country effective Monday, Nov. 25.
PRO-11 spokesperson Police Major Catherin dela Rey said in a phone interview that 32 officers and 33 non-commissioned officers were relieved from their posts and reassigned to PRO 4-B (Mimaropa), PRO-2 (Cagayan Valley), PRO-Cordillera, and PRO-5 (Bicol).
Dela Rey said that their reassignment has nothing to do with politics.
She said the order was part of the Philippine National Police’s regular reassignment and assignment of personnel to other regions.
Dela Rey said these personnel were earlier transferred to other parts of the Davao region during the investigation of fatal drug operations and double blotter entries here.
“These were the police personnel who were earlier relieved from the Davao City Police Office and reassigned to other offices here in the region, following the investigation on fatal drug operations and due to double blotter entries,” Dela Rey said.
She said the first batch of police personnel was relieved for investigation over fatal drug operations.
The second batch which included police station commanders were relieved and investigated due to double blotter entries.
Dela Rey said the PRO-11 requested the transfer of these 65 personnel to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Crame, Quezon City but this still needs approval.
She added that the request went through the process before the order to reassign them outside Mindanao was issued.
Dela Rey said there is no information if the PNP headquarters would reassign new police personnel to the region to replace the 65 personnel.
She added that their reassignment will not affect regular operations in the Davao region.
“The order has nothing to do with the current issue in politics. The police remain apolitical. Our mandate is to serve the community. As a PNP member, we can be assigned to other areas at any time. It just happens that we just received the order,” Dela Rey said.
PRO-11 Director Police Brig. General Leon Victor Rosete has ordered all police personnel to remain neutral and avoid involvement in political activities. He said the police is a nonpartisan institution and they must uphold the rule of law.
The order issued by PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and signed by Police Major Gen. Alan Okubo, acting chief of the directorial staff, sparked concerns about its timing and purpose.
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