By Jennifer P. Rendon
Hours after the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 announced the relief of Police Col. Ronaldo Palomo, a text message petitioning to remove the latter from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) was sent to selected media personalities.
A group calling themselves “Concerned Ilonggo Cops” asked PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., and PRO-6 chief Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky to change IPPO’s leadership, citing Palomo’s “indi amo ukon higko nga pamalakad (irregular or dirty administration).”
The message identified the group as concerned police commissioned and noncommissioned officers and nonuniformed personnel.
They cited 14 reasons for Palomo to take his exit at IPPO.
These range from Palomo’s alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations to allegedly asking for financial aid from businessmen while name-dropping Defensor’s name.
The message also claimed that their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and gas allocation were intentionally slashed.
They also asked for a lifestyle check on him, citing the construction of three houses.
However, the sender did not mention where these houses are located or if they are under Palomo’s name.
The accusation also addressed police personnel being used as construction workers.
They also accused the outgoing IPPO chief of making policemen act as “yaya” (nannies) for his children and wife, whom they claimed has been living with him at his IPPO sleeping quarters and had been meddling with police assignments.
The message also mentioned his new vehicle and a “big bike.”
The sender also claimed that Wanky’s name was used to threaten personnel that they would be reassigned outside of the region.
They also accused Palomo of trumpeting his good relationship with Wanky and Defensor.
The sender also mentioned a case with the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 and the Quezon City Police District.
Early Thursday (April 18), reports of Palomo’s imminent relief have been making rounds on social media.
Palomo denied it, claiming that he received no order.
But a few hours later, he confirmed that Wanky had verbally informed him about his relief and that the change of command ceremony would be held the following day (April 19).
In a police statement, PRO-6 confirmed that Col. Bayani Razalan would take over Palomo’s post.
Both officers are members of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1998.
Razalan will concurrently act as IPPO and Regional Intelligence Division (RID) chief.
The statement also noted that Wanky had sought Defensor’s clearance in relieving Palomo.
“The status of Col. Razalan’s designation to IPPO is officer-in-charge, pending submission of PRO-6’s recommendation of three police colonels to Gov. Defensor,” it added.
Further, the statement said that the IPPO change of leadership is part of the career advancement for both officers.
The turnover will be held at 10 a.m. today, April 19, at the IPPO headquarters at Camp Francisco U. Sumagasay Sr. in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Wanky will skip the rites, which will be presided over by Brig. Gen. Archival Macala, PRO-6 Deputy Regional Director for Administration.
