In the wake of the killing of Mayor Aquino
TACLOBAN CITY- The chief of police of Calbayog City was relieved from his post in the aftermath on the killing of Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.
The relief of Police Col. Neil Montaño was announced by PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday (March 14.)
In a statement, Eleazar said that the order is with the concurrence of the Chief PNP, Police General Debold Sinas who is on leave .
Eleazar said that the action is in connection with the incident in March 8 which resulted in the death of Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and five other people, including three police personnel and at the same time, the irresponsible conduct of his intelligence officer in relation to the letter request to the local court.
He added that these two unfortunate incidents are currently under investigation and PLtCol Montaño was ordered relieved for command responsibility.
Eleazar further informed that PLtCol. Montaño will be replaced by PLtCol Rodolfo Albotra while Police Major Ruel Burlat, on the other hand, will be designated as the new chief of intelligence unit, to replace PLt Fernando Calabria Jr. who was also relieved from his post effective March 12.
Aside from PLtCol Montaño and PLt Calabria, nine other Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) of the Calbayog CPS were also relieved and were reassigned to Samar Provincial Police Office to undergo refresher seminar he added.
Eleazar said that the relief of these officers and the designation of their replacements were also based on the recommendation of the Regional Director, Police Regional Office 8, Police Brigadier General Ronaldo De Jesus.
“This reorganization is intended not only to improve the investigation and intelligence capacity of the Calbayog City Police Station in the light of the two incidents that happened but also to infuse new ideas and strategies on peace and order with the deployment of new police officers in the area” Eleazar in a statement said.
The order includes the designation of PMaj Marino Estoño as the new company commander of the Calbayog City-based 1st Samar Provincial Mobile Forces Company, which was also recommended by PBGen De Jesus.
It was learned that PMaj Estoño has just finished his commando course and Eleazar expects that his deployment in Calbayog City will calm the tension and address security apprehensions of the local residents as a result of the incident involving Mayor Aquino.
“We are also continuously conducting the needs assessment for the Calbayog CPS to improve its investigation, intelligence and operational capabilities through PBGen De Jesus and his regional command group” said Eleazar.
Eleazar also said that based on consultation with the Chief PNP, police officers concerned are also ordered to refrain from making any comment on the case of Mayor Aquino, and just wait instead for the final result of the investigation.
“We appeal to all the parties concerned to do the same” he added.
