Barotac Nuevo top cop sacked for disobedience

Chief Insp. Raymund Celoso

The chief of police of the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station was relieved from his post, the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) announced on Monday.

Chief Insp. Raymund Celoso is now at the holding unit of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) while waiting for a new assignment, after he was relieved from his post effective September 14.

He was replaced by Insp. Ray Pueyo from the Zarraga Municipal Police Station.

In an interview, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, regional director of PRO-6, said he removed Celoso from his post after he found out during his surprise visit last September 13 that the police chief was not following his instruction that there should be enough police presence in the station.

Bulalacao said they remain on full alert for the anticipated threats from rebels.

He imposed a policy that 85 percent of personnel must be present in every police station and only 15 percent are allowed for emergency and sick leave.

“This is to ensure readiness and maximum deployment of personnel especially in the remote areas where threats are high,” he said.

But during Bulalacao’s visit last week, only 50 percent of the personnel of Barotac Nuevo’s police station were on duty. He did not disclose the total number of personnel for security reasons.

“The chief of police allowed that and, sad to say, that there are also those (personnel) who were absent,” he said.

“This compromises the security and the effectiveness to implement our mandate,” he added.

Aside from removing Celoso from his post, Bulalacao said he is also mulling on filing administrative case against the police officer.

Bulalacao said of the eight police stations he visited during that day, only Barotac Nuevo’s station was found not complying with his instruction.

He also visited other units, including police stations in the town of Sara and Ajuy.

Meanwhile, Bulalacao said Celoso’s case will serve as a lesson and warning to other police officers, who will not comply with his instructions.

“As long as I am the regional director of PRO-6, I will ensure discipline among our policemen and assure the public that we are working to ensure peace and order and the prevention and solution of crimes especially on illegal drugs,” he added.

SOURCE: Iloilo Metropolitan Times

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