THREE police officials including two station commanders in Cebu City were relieved from their posts for failing to curb illegal gambling in their jurisdictions.
Relieved were Chief Insp. Ranulfo Espina, chief of Mambaling police station, Chief Insp. Pablo Cabildo, chief of Waterfront police, and Supt. Henry Binas, chief of Toledo City police.
The three police officials were relieved based on the “one strike policy” of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) where station commanders will be removed from their posts if a separate police unit confirmed the presence of illegal gambling in their areas of jurisdictions.
Espina and Cabildo had just assumed posts, replacing Chief Insp. Wilbert Esguerra and Chief Insp. Andres Bayarcal, who were relieved for the same offense.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, chief of PRO-7, also ordered the relief of Insp. Welther Grapa, chief of Tuburan police, following the escape of two inmates last week.
The relieved police officials were transferred to the holding area of the PRO-7.
Garbo said another police official is set to be relieved for questioning his strict policy against erring policemen./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON