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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Tagbilaran police chief sacked over kidnapping

Tagbilaran police chief sacked over kidnapping

Published Mar 16, 2026 05:55 pm
TAGBILARAN City Mayor Jane Yap is visited by officers of the Bohol Provincial Police Office on Monday, March 16. (Photo from Mayor Jane Yap FB)
TAGBILARAN City Mayor Jane Yap is visited by officers of the Bohol Provincial Police Office on Monday, March 16. (Photo from Mayor Jane Yap FB)
CEBU CITY – The chief of police in Tagbilaran City, Bohol was relieved from his post while investigation into the alleged kidnapping of a man outside a public market last week is ongoing.
Tagbilaran Mayor Jane Yap said Police Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober was replaced by Police Lt. Col. Judy Mar Bonilla, deputy director for administration of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO).
Escober's relief was announced during the visit of Police Col. Patricio Degay Jr., chief of BPPO, to Yap on Monday, March 16, to discuss the status of the ongoing investigation.
Yap said she was told that Escober's relief was made as "as part of ensuring a fair, transparent, and deeper investigation."
"This step is to allow an impartial and objective investigation to proceed," Yap said in a Facebook post.
Bonilla will lead the Tagbilaran police as officer-in-charge until a permanent replacement is confirmed, Yap said.
Yap commended Escober for his "leadership and service to the people of Tagbilaran."
"During his time as chief of police, we saw the strong partnership between the city government of Tagbilaran, the Philippine National Police, and our private sector partners in strengthening peace and order in our city," Yap said.
The mayor clarified that relieving Escober was not "judgement of guilt."
"Public service sometimes calls for difficult but necessary steps, and this action is taken not as a judgment of guilt, but to allow a deeper and impartial investigation to proceed," Yap said.
Police are investigating the March 11 kidnapping outside a public market in Barangay Dao. A video showing a man being forced to ride a van was uploaded on social media.
Escober reported that no one has showed up at the police station to report a missing individual since the incident happened.
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado has offered a P50,000 cash to anyone who could help provide information that will lead to the arrest of the culprits.

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Tagbilaran City Kidnapping Crime Mayor Jane Yap BPPO
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