Puerto Princesa PNP chief sacked

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — The Puerto Princesa city police chief was relieved from her post reportedly over three shooting incidents, including the killing of two policemen and a Bureau of Corrections employee on Good Friday.

The STAR learned that the relief of Col. Cristine Tabdi was signed by Maj. Gen. Constacio Chinayog Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) director for personnel and records management.

Tabdi was replaced by Col. Dennis de Leon, former officer-in-charge of the PNP regional learning and doctrine development division in Calabarzon region.

The relief came after Friday’s shooting of Puerto Princesa City police S/Sgts. Ryan Cris Cabaña and Jayson Fernandez, and Jerson Talon of the Bureau of Corrections.

Reports said the three were attending a wake in Barangay Irawan when an argument broke out between them and a group of bystanders.

The incident was preceded by the killing of lawyer Joshua Abrina, former legal officer of the Department of Education in Palawan, in September last year, and of former Puerto Princesa International Airport acting manager Joanna Infante on Feb. 18.

In a phone interview, De Leon said he would wait for the findings and recommendations of the special task group created to investigate Friday’s shooting.