Chiefs of police in three Bohol towns and two commissioned police officers stationed in Camp Francisco Dagohoy were reassigned to new posts within the province as ordered by Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) director Sr. Supt. Angeles Geñorga, Jr.
Special Order Number 196, dated November 5, 2018 and signed by Geñorga, ordered the reassignment of the following:
- Senior Inspector Gerald Luna (Dauis to Alburquerque as chief)
- Senior Inspector Romar Labasbas (Provincial Intelligence Branch to Dauis as chief)
- Senior Inspector Neon Alvarez (BPPO to Panglao as chief)
- Senior Inspector Geronimo Conarco (Panglao to Loay as chief)
- Senior Inpsector Vincent Dumguing (Loay to Tagbilaran City as deputy chief)
According to Geñorga, Luna surpassed his regular two-year tenure as commander of the Dauis Police Station leading to his reassignment.
Meanwhile, Alvarez was transferred to Panglao as its new police chief as requested by Mayor Nila Montero who had recently reassumed her post after her dismissal was rescinded.
“The chiefs of police are serving under the pleasure of the mayor. Nung umupo si Mayor [Pedro] Fuertes, pumili siya ng [chief of police] niya at si Conarco ang pinili niya,” said Geñorga. “Nung bumalik si Mayor Nila, nagpili din siya ng sariling chief of police.”
Geñorga noted that mayors can choose the police chiefs of their respective towns as mandated by law.
As stipulated in Republic Act 6975, the law establishing the Philippine National Police under a reorganized Department of Interior and Local Government, the mayor has “operational supervision and control” of the police in his or her area.
This includes the authority to choose the chief of police from a list of five eligible candidates recommended by the police director, “preferable from the same province, city or municipality.” (R. Tutas)