Another police chief axed over ‘swertres’—Robredo

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Another police chief in Negros Oriental was sacked Tuesday for failing to stop the “swertres” illegal numbers game in his city, bringing to four the number of chiefs-of-police relieved in that province in the past two weeks.

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo announced Tuesday the relief of Superintendent James Arsenio Turbela, police chief of Canlaon City, in line with the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s “one-strike policy” on illegal gambling.

In a report to Robredo, Senior Superintendent Edward Carranza, director of the Negros Oriental police, said he had ordered Turbela’s relief due to his inability to stop the operations of swertres in the province and “despite protestations from several local chief executives.”

Carranza said the dismissal of the police chiefs had earned the ire of some mayors in Negros Oriental, who complained to the local media about the lack of coordination in the issuance of relief orders against the police chiefs.

“I am just following orders from my superiors, Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo, PNP Region 7 director, and DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, to put an end to illegal gambling operations in Negros Oriental. The order was for me to relieve COPs (chiefs-of-police) who cannot carry out that policy,” he said.

Earlier relieved of their posts were Chief Inspector Dominicias Distrito of Tanjay City, Inspector Romulos Delfin of Dauin town, and Inspector Deogracias Lorico of Valencia town. DJ Yap