3 Northern Mindanao cops on Duterte’s drug list relieved, disarmed

Philippine National Police (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The regional police command has ordered all personnel and officers from Northern Mindanao, suspected of being involved in “narcopolitics,” to be relieved, disarmed and restricted from doing their law enforcement functions.

This was the directive given by Chief Supt. Noel Constantino, the regional police chief, on Sunday, following the list of drug trafficking protectors bared by President Duterte over the weekend.

Effective Sunday, Aug. 7, all police officers named by Duterte will not be allowed to leave their quarters and will be made to wait for further instructions from the higher command, according to Supt. Surki Sereñas, regional police spokesperson.

Those who were ordered to comply with the order were Senior Inspector Roy Montes of the Misamis Oriental police, and Chief Inspector Ricardo Gando and SPO1 Rodrigo Ramos of the Bukidnon police, Sereñas said.

“Other names included in the list are still being verified as most of them are already retired, while some of them are either already jailed or dead,” Sereñas said.

Constantino also ordered the immediate recall of all police security escorts and bodyguards assigned to the identified narco-politicians, Sereñas added.  SFM