CARAGA police chief relieved over men’s failure to stop illegal logging

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines – A Police Regional Director has been relieved of duty due to the alleged  failure of his subordinates to curb illegal logging, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome announced Monday.

Bartolome said that Police Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal, Regional Director of the CARAGA region in Mindanao, will be given time to explain why illegal logging goes on in the region.

“I’m giving him the opportunity to answer. I will also give him the opportunity to face the investigation that is why I’m relieving him effective today,” Bartolome said.

President Benigno Aquino III previously said in his State of the Nation Address that six Chiefs of Police and one Police Provincial director were relieved of duty for failure to curb illegal logging in their respective areas.