Bato, Catanduanes police chief axed after Tarlac shooting remarks
MANILA, Philippines — Bato, Catanduanes police chief Police Captain Ariel Buraga was sacked after his controversial remark wherein he said respecting police officers is the lesson in the gruesome shooting incident in Tarlac province, Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
“Mam confirmed po as per PD [Provincial Director] Catanduanes po. Paimbestigahan pa rin po iyong COP [chief of police] kahit na po nirelieve na siya [Buraga]. Procedures pa rin po natin,” PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana told reporters in a text message when asked for confirmation regarding Buraga’s relief.
(It is confirmed as per the provincial director of Catanduanes. The chief of police will be under investigation despite his relief. It is part of our procedures.)
Usana said Buraga was relieved over his violation of PNP policies on social media. He added that Mayor Juan Rodulfo of Bato, Catanduanes recommended the police chief’s relief over the controversial remark.
“He also was recommended by the mayor to be relieved from his post po arising from his [Facebook] upload or reaction which didn’t sit well with his being a police [officer] po,” said Usana.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Buraga said people must respect lawmen after Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca shot dead Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank outside their house in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday.
READ: Locsin berates Catanduanes police official for remarks on respecting cops after Tarlac shooting
Nuezca, meanwhile, remains detained and is now facing criminal complaints before the court.
