By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two junior police commanders were relieved from their posts after their subordinates were arrested for liquor ban-related offenses.
Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, ordered the immediate relief of Police Lieutenant George Caño and Police Captain Victor Bacinillo.
Caño, the platoon leader of the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company’s 2nd Maneuver Platoon based in Barangay Cabaguhan, Batad, Iloilo, was the direct superior of Police Staff Sergeant Joe Marc Ebon.
The 37-year-old Ebon and three civilians were caught with 69 boxes of Tanduay Rhum (375 ml) loaded on their vehicle at the quarantine control checkpoint in Barangay Velasco, Lemery, Iloilo on May 21, 2020.
Meanwhile, Bacinillo, supervisor of the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU), was the superior of Police Staff Sergeant Jose Digcabo-on Jr.
While he was not caught with liquor in his possession, Digcabo-on was accused of trying to coddle a van driver who was caught transporting liquor at Barangay Nanga, Guimbal, Iloilo around 4:40 p.m. of May 20, 2020.
Caño is now assigned to the RPHAU at the Police Regional Office 6 (RPHAU) headquarters in Camp Delgado, Iloilo while Bacinillo is now detailed at Regional Headquarters Support Unit effective May 22, 2020.
In relieving the two officers, Pamuspusan cited that they failed to supervise their subordinates who were recently arrested over the liquor ban violation.
Pamuspusan said he would implement a “one strike” policy against erring cops and their commanders.
“We will cause for the immediate relief of commanders who failed to act on the misdeeds of their subordinates,” he said.
He made the pronouncement after three policemen were criminally and administratively charged for defying the liquor ban while the region was placed under the enhanced community quarantine.
The region’s top cop said they would be strict in making sure that policemen follow the law and guidelines that they enforce.
“We mean business in ensuring internal discipline amongst our personnel. Those who will challenge this policy have no place in our organization,” he said.
Pamuspusan stressed that “commanders are expected to ensure internal discipline amongst his subordinates, those who are remiss of their duty in effectively supervising their subordinates have no right to stay on their post.”
