Mimaropa, Calabarzon cop chiefs reshuffled ahead of polls

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Four provincial directors and 33 commanders in Mimaropa as well as 33 police chiefs in Calabarzon have been reshuffled.

Brig. Gen. Sidney Sultan Hernia, Mimaropa police director, said Cols. Simeon Gane Jr., Renante Cabico, Christopher Melchor and Roberto Bucad were designated as head of the Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Puerto Princesa City police, respectively.

Hernia said the reshuffle was in line with the policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that all its personnel remain non-partisan during elections.

”As a matter of policy of the PNP, unit commanders like provincial directors, battalion commander, company commanders and chiefs of police who have rendered at least one year of service in their respective localities shall be relieved to avoid close association with candidates,” he said.

In Calabarzon, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said seven police chiefs in Cavite, six in Laguna, 11 in Batangas, four in Rizal and nine in Quezon were given new posts.

The regional police office had earlier presented its security preparations for the May elections.