ILOILO – The police chief of the municipality of Sara and his 14 policemen were relieved from their posts.
They were either caught sleeping at the police station or missing from their posts, said Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Tayaba made an unannounced visit to Sara on June 24. He did not find any policeman at the public plaza so he proceeded to the police station.
“Walang tao sa police station kasi fiesta. Ang desk sergeant tulog. Ang isang pulis na on duty tulog rin sa room at naka-civilian clothes pa. Maya’t maya ang police chief nila dumating,” said Tayaba.
The relief order against the Sara police chief, Senior Inspector Gilbert Baldevarona, and his 14 men took effect on Aug. 7.
“These policemen will be facing an administrative case for neglect of duty. I always tell policemen not to leave their posts and do not sleep while on duty,” said Tayaba.
This was not the first time Sara policemen failed a “surprise inspection.” Sometime in May, Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay, deputy regional director for operations (DRDO) of the Police Regional Office 6, discovered that two inmates of the Sara police station were being allowed to get out of the detention cell.
“Actually, recommended na sila for relief after the DRDO’s inspection. But I asked the DRDO to give them a chance,” said Tayaba.
Sara now has a new police chief – Senior Inspector Asuncion Ortizo.
Baldevarona, on the other hand, was temporarily reassigned to the IPPO headquarters at Camp Sumagaysay in Santa Barbara, Iloilo./PN
