Two police chiefs relieved

Two police station commanders in Cebu and Mandaue cities were relieved yesterday from their posts  for failing to  curb illegal gambling in their areas.

The two men were  believed to be acting as masiao coordinators.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Central Visayas police director, ordered the relief of Mabolo police chief Enrique Belcina and Casuntingan police station chief Jimmy Fortich who will be  transferred to the Regional Police Holding Unit pending investigation.

issued order

Garbo said the regional police caught two men in separate operations in Lahug, which is under the Mabolo Police station, and Banilad in Mandaue City which is under the Casuntingan Police Station.

Fortich was replaced by Chief Insp. Mitchie Gabod. There was no order yet for who would take over Belcina’s post.

This year at least 10 police officials in Central Visayas were sanctioned or transferred from their posts due to their failure to curb illegal gambling in their areas.

These included Chief Insp. Andres Bayarcal as  Waterfront Police Station chief, his replacement, Chief Insp. Pablo Cabildo, and Chief Insp. Ranulfo Esguerra, former Mambaling police chief.

Garbo said he was  strictly implementing a “one strike policy” in the campaign which means a single offense by  a police officer would have a direct sanction. /Correspondent Chito O. ARagon