BACOLOD CITY – Thirty-three policemen from Negros Occidental with relatives running in the elections have been temporarily reshuffled to other police stations in the province to prevent any potential misuse of authority.
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental police, said the move is part of the Philippine National Police’s efforts to ensure that lawmen remain non-partisan during the election period.
“We do not want our personnel to be involved in any election process,” Catalogo said.
They will return to their original posts after the elections.
Meanwhile, police nabbed a 29-year-old construction worker wanted for carnapping in Barangay Paniabonan, Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Saturday, March 1.
Police Major Sherwin Fernandez, Murcia, Negros Occidental police chief, said the suspect, Alexander, a resident of Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia, was tagged as ninth most wanted person (MWP) in Western Visayas, sixth MWP in Negros Occidental, and fifth MWP on the municipal level.
Alexander was apprehended on a warrant issued by the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Branch 254 dated Feb. 12, 2025.
The court recommended P300,000 bail for the suspect. Alexander is under the custody of Murcia Municipal Police Station.