PNP: All station chiefs in Davao region relieved; move not linked to Quiboloy

FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — All station commanders in the Davao region have been relieved from their posts, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday.

However, this move, a regional police spokesperson said, is not political and unrelated to the serving of warrants of arrest for the embattled religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Fajardo, in a press conference on Tuesday, said Davao police regional office director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III ordered the relief of the personnel, which was effective on Monday.

“The relief of the 19 station commanders of Davao region is an exercise of the prerogative and authority of the Regional Director and this decision was discussed among themselves,” Fajardo said.

Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 11, called the move a “regular movement,” adding that the police officers will not be subjected to any administrative investigation.

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“It is not political, they are not facing charges, and not related to Quiboloy in any way,” Dela Rey told reporters in a phone interview, partly in Filipino.

Last June 10, some 100 policemen stormed the premises of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compounds in Davao City to serve the warrants of arrest against its leader. Quiboloy has been wanted for child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking cases filed against him in Davao and Pasig courts.

READ: Quiboloy sanctioned by US Treasury Dep’t over corruption, human rights abuse

Fajardo, however, noted that one of the reasons for the move is due to “inaccurate” crime statistics.

“He saw discrepancies in terms of the crime statistics. So these are now under investigation,” she said.