NCRPO relieves Caloocan City police force
MANILA — Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Regional Office, yesterday ordered all police officers in Caloocan City relieved.
“Sa ngayon, ‘yung ginawa natin na Substation 7, lahat po iyon ay tinanggal na natin. Lahat ng personnel ‘yun. Sixty two of them plus 13 from the Public Safety Battalion ng Northern Police District," Albayalde said in an interview on dzBB. Public Safety Battalions are regional police office units that are primarily tasked with internal security operations.
He said all other Caloocan City police officers will be gradually relieved.
Albayalde's announcement came after it was found that Caloocan cops raided a private residence without a search warrant and stole valuables.
“Mas mabuti po siguro ito na pre-emptive measure na gagawin na rin po natin,” Albayalde said.
Speaking before the sacked Caloocan police officers, Albayalde said, “Wala akong nakikitang dahilan para hindi niyo ako maintindihan.”
Albayalde also said he is mulling the retraining and reassigning the entire Caloocan police in batches.
Lawmakers said Albayalde’s move should be commended for helping “restoring order in the ranks of PNP.”
“General Oscar Abayalde has indeed admitted by his move that the killings are perpetrated, condoned or even being promoted by the Caloocan police,” Akbayan party-list Representative Tomas Villarin said.
Although the PNP is a civilian agency with civilian ranks, the colloquial use of equivalent military ranks is common. The PNP was created to replace the Philippine Constabulary, a military unit.
Villarin also said that Albayalde is better than PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa at holding his personnel accountable.
“His superior, General Ronald dela Rosa should learn a thing or two from him. Accountability demands action and not melodramatics,” Villarin added.