Davao police chief relieved over alleged wife-beating

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao City’s chief of police, Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao, has been relieved of his post pending investigation of a complaint by his wife that he had been beating her.

Chief Inspector Jed Clamor, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police’s regional office here, said in a telephone interview the order for Danao’s relief was from PNP regional director Chief Superintendent Wendy Garcia Rosario, and took effect Monday, September 1.

He said Superintendent Marvin Pepino, director for administration of the Davao City Police Office, will take over in an acting capacity.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was also expected to announce Danao’s relief and his replacement at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Last week, the police’s Regional Internal Affairs Services (RIAS) said it would start hearing an administrative case of grave misconduct filed against Danao by his estranged wife in connection with alleged instances of physical violence against her inside their home in 2001 and 2002.

Superintendent Pedro Cabatingan, the RIAS chief,  said last month his office had just obtained clearance from the President to pursue the hearing of the   complaint filed by Danao’s wife at the Philippine consulate in California last year.

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