19 police chiefs face ‘mass reshuffling’ in Calabarzon

SAN PEDRO CITY — Nineteen police officers were included in a mass reshuffling of police chiefs assigned in the key cities in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon) region.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, the regional police spokesperson, said the recent incidents of drug related operations had nothing to do with the sudden reassignment of the police chiefs.

“It’s just the usual reshuffling,” she said.

The order issued by regional director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca covered the cities of Trece Martires, Cavite, Dasmariñas, and Tagaytay in Cavite province; San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, and San Pablo cities in Laguna; Sto. Tomas town and Lipa City in Batangas; and the towns of Tiaong and Sariaya in Quezon.

Also on Tuesday, the regional police started its three-day refresher course on human rights, participated in mostly by intelligence officers and case investigators.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) once again drew public attention following the death of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. The incident fueled criticisms against the government’s brutal campaign against the illegal drugs.

Gaoiran said the refresher was a “yearly program” of the PNP to remind law enforcers of the International Humanitarian Law, proper operational procedures, as well as handling sensitive cases involving women and children.

Also discussed in the program is the proper management of “civil disturbances” or protest rallies.

Calabarzon is one of the regions with the highest number of anti-drug operations.

Data from the regional police headquarters showed that from July 1, 2016 to August 28, 2017, a total of 19,066 suspects were arrested, while 399 suspected drug pushers and users were killed in police operations. JE