PNP reshuffles four provincial chiefs in Southern Tagalog in relation to upcoming election

By Ronron
May 1, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership announced on Tuesday the reshuffle of four provincial chiefs in the Southern Tagalog region in connection with the approaching May 14 polls.

PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Calderon said he had asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow the swapping of assignments by Sr. Supt. Tom Bañas of Batangas Police and Sr. Supt. Freddie Panen of Rizal Police, and by Sr. Supt. Felipe Rojas of Laguna Provincial Police Office and Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas of Cavite.

Calderon said that if approved by the Comelec, the reshuffle will take effect only from May 3 until the 20th.

“This is just temporary to spare my police officers from being accused of being biased this coming election,” Calderon said during the weekly media forum entitled Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) held yesterday morning at Mendiola bridge in Manila City.

The PNP chief said he is also contemplating to implement the same action for the provincial chief of Nueva Ecija, Supt. Allen Bantolo.

Asked for the reason behind the reshuffle among the four provincial heads, Calderon said: “Because we anticipate that there could be violence in Region IV, and to isolate my police officers from any partisan politics, even with mere suspicions.”

So far, the Comelec has placed under its control the provinces of Abra and Masbate, and San Carlos City in Pangasinan, due to the imminent violence brought about by intense political rivalries.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Deputy Director General Wilfredo Garcia disclosed that the PNP also recommended that four municipalities from Kalinga province, Valencia City in Bukidnon, and the province of Palawan be placed under Comelec control.

When placed under Comelec control, the entire affairs of the concerned province, city or town will have to be subjected to the approval by Comelec during the election period./DMS