Northern Mindanao cop chief relieved

Northern Mindanao, Philippines — police director Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago Jr., whom Malacañang recently suspended, has been relieved from his post.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Santiago’s suspension order on Oct. 21, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said yesterday.

“He was a very good performer but we have to implement the suspension order for six months,” Gamboa told reporters after inspecting the Araneta Center bus terminal in Quezon City.

He said Santiago’s replacement would be announced during the turnover ceremony at the regional police headquarters.

A source said the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board is still deliberating on who will replace Santiago, who is retiring on May 2020.

Santiago is facing an administrative complaint over technical malversation case filed against him in 2012 when he was Zambales police director.

“It’s about logistics, parang hindi na-turn over ang firearms so he was suspended for six months,” he said.

A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said there were grumblings in the organization when Santiago was appointed regional director last May despite the administrative case he is facing.