Police chief eyed for Cebu City axed in Negros Oriental

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The chief of police of Negros Oriental, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama’s choice to head the city’s police force, has been relieved for failing to curb illegal drug trading and illegal gambling in the province.

Senior Superintendent Noli Romana will be moved to the regional personnel accounting unit of the regional police office.

The order to remove Romana as Negros Oriental police chief was signed by Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo, regional police director. It was to take effect on Friday.

Garbo said he would recommend the transfer of Romana to an assignment outside Central Visayas.

Romana was the choice of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to head the Cebu City police office, but Garbo opposed it because he was not satisfied with Romana’s performance in the fight against illegal drugs and illegal gambling while he was head of the Negros Oriental police.

Romana is also facing investigation after two of his men—SPO1 Somoza Vilan and SPO2 Edwin Pineda—were caught on video accepting money from alleged illegal gambling operators.

Garbo said he was not singling out Romana, saying he had also relieved Senior Supt. Ernesto Agas as head of the Siquijor police for failing to curb illegal gambling in the province.

The Inquirer  tried to reach Romana for comment, but he sent a text message saying he preferred to keep mum about it.