Crame sacks De Leon

CEBU, Philippines — A little over three months since his installation as Central Visayas’ top cop, Police Regional Office-7 director Brigadier General Valeria De Leon was ‘unceremoniously’ relieved from his post effective yesterday.

The relief order was signed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa. De Leon will be on a floating status and will directly report to the office of the chief PNP in Camp Crame.

 De Leon’s ‘mistah’, Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferrero will replace him at PRO-7. As of this writing, no reason was given by Camp Crame why De Leon was relieved.

However, Gamboa gave him a “strike one” warning last month after three of his subordinates were caught violating a direct order against playing golf during weekdays.

The three senior police officials in Central Visayas-- Col. Dennis Artil, Lt. Col. Richard Bad-Ang, and Lt. Col. Glenn Mayam—were already relieved and are now facing investigation at the national police headquarters in Camp Crame.

"As a good soldier I have to follow. Whatever reasons we abide by any order it's already a routine to us mayroong ma-relieve may ma-install," De Leon said in reaction to the order.

He said he have several programs in mind that he would have wanted to implement if he given the chance to stay longer in Central Visayas.

Ferrero is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’89. He used to head the PNP-Drug Enforcement Unit in Camp Crame. He was commended by then PNP chief Oscar Albayalde and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa for his sterling performance in the campaign against illegal drugs.

He also led in the investigation against the alleged drug queen who supplied illegal drugs to self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.  FPL (FREEMAN)