By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has confirmed a major reshuffling of its chiefs of police and unit heads.
The move comes three months before the start of the election period for the 2025 midterm elections.
Colonel Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said the reshuffling was done in preparation for the election period, which begins on Jan. 12, 2025.
“We relieved officers who are supposed to complete their two-year stint before Election Day (May 12),” he said.
Razalan explained that officers who have stayed long in their assignments may have built rapport with election officials, which could raise concerns.
“As they say, familiarity breeds contempt,” he added.
Razalan noted that mayors can request for the return of the relieved officers after the election period if they wish.
The reshuffling affected the following officers:
- Police Major Richard Lao: from San Miguel Municipal Police Station (MPS) to Miag-ao MPS
- Captain Aileen Lacrite: from Dingle MPS to Cabatuan MPS
- Captain Francis Donne Lomahan: from Miag-ao MPS to Igbaras MPS
- Captain Martin Pugales: from Igbaras MPS to Leon MPS
- Captain Randy Lambungan: from Ajuy MPS to Banate MPS
- Captain John Robles: from Leganes MPS to Lemery MPS
- Captain Jose Winston Biadog: from Lemery MPS to Ajuy MPS
- Captain General Enrique Robles: from Banate MPS to Leganes MPS
- Captain Alwin Salmon: from Janiuay MPS to Dingle MPS
- Captain Hector Ayagan: from IPPO headquarters to Zarraga MPS
- Major Kenn Albert Lepsia: from Concepcion MPS to Dumangas MPS
- Major Samuel Vipinosa: from Dumangas MPS to Concepcion MPS
- Captain Zharra dela Rosa: from Zarraga MPS to San Miguel MPS
- Captain Dande Ilalto: from IPPO headquarters to Zarraga MPS
- Captain Dionisio Estacio: from Cabatuan MPS to the National Capital Police Regional Office (NCRPO)
- Captain Jojo Octavo: from Bingawan MPS to IPPO headquarters
- Lieutenant Philip Girao: from Sara MPS to Bingawan MPS
- Major Dadje Delima: from Pavia MPS to IPPO headquarters
- Major Harold Rendora: from IPPO headquarters to Pavia MPS
The relief of Octavo and Girao took effect on Oct. 1, 2024.
Meanwhile, Delima will swap posts with Rendora, the outgoing chief of the IPPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), effective Oct. 11.
The other 15 officers’ relief and reassignment took effect on Oct. 10.
Razalan said this might not be the last reshuffling for this year.
