PNP ‘relieves’ Zamboanga top cop who lured MNLF rebels to yield

PSSupt Jose Chiquito “JC” Malayo JULIE S. ALIPALA / INQUIRER MINDANAO

MANILA, Philippines—The police chief of Zamboanga City Police, who reportedly convinced 23 rebel fighters during the stand-off in Zamboanga City, has been relieved from his post, a Philippine National Police official said Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, said Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, Zamboanga city police director, was subjected to an administrative relief “to give him time to rest.”

He said this process is commonly done after big events, such as the three-week long stand-off between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front rebels that started last September 9.

Asked if this entails a negative connotation, Sindac said, “No.”

Sindac also said Malayo is celebrating his birthday today (Wednesday).

During the stand-off last September 17, authorities initially thought that Malayo had been kidnapped by the MNLF rebels. It later turned out, however, that he negotiated for the surrender of 23 rebel fighters when he emerged later in the evening.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP chief, Police Director General Alan Purisima, said Malayo “will be accorded with appropriate award in due time.”

“Of course we do not deny na sya ay nakapagpasuko ng 23 MNLF fighters . . . but we are still studying the effects of what he did and what really happened that time,” Purisima added.

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