Puerto Princesa police chief sacked
It was then when Balonglong allegedly kicked, punched and pointed a gun towards one of the forest rangers, identified as Roldan Alvarez, whom he accused of stealing galvanized iron sheets
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Archie Gamboa on Saturday ordered the administrative relief of Puerto Princesa City Police director PCol. Marion Balonglong over his alleged involvement in the illegal arrest and mauling of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel last week.
Gamboa’s directive to immediately relieve Balonglong from his post was coursed through PBGen. Nicerio Obaob, PRO-MIMAROPA regional director, who gave assurance that all allegations against Balonglong will be thoroughly investigated based on evidence and verified accounts of witnesses.
“The allegations against Balonglong are serious and his relief is an administrative action to preclude any possibility of undue influence in the ongoing investigation,” Gamboa said in his statement.
Reports reaching the DENR headquarters in Quezon City stated the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) personnel, along with a representative from the city government’s Bantay Bakawan and a barangay watchman, were in the middle of conducting an investigation on the reported illegal occupation of land and cutting of mangrove trees in Sitio Bucana, Barangay Iwahig on 10 June when they were accosted by Balolong and his subordinates.
The group initially thought Balonglong’s group was the police security they requested to assist them in the operation, but were caught off guard when they were subjected to a full body search and ordered to lie face down on the ground.
It was then when Balonglong allegedly kicked, punched and pointed a gun towards one of the forest rangers, identified as Roldan Alvarez, whom he accused of stealing galvanized iron sheets.
They were brought to the police station and released only after CENRO Officer Felizardo Cayatoc, who directed the DENR operation, was coerced into signing a document stating that those arrested were in good physical and mental condition upon their release.
Alvarez, who sustained wounds and bruises due to Balonglong’s beating, went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Palawan to report the mauling.
DENR Secretary Frank Cimatu condemned the incident but said that it was an isolated case and that it should not affect the relationship between the DENR and the PNP.
Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, DENR spokesman, meanwhile said in an interview over Radio Bandera: “The DENR is in full support of our employee to show that we do not tolerate any form of bullying.”
The Daily Tribune went to the Puerto Princesa City Police Office Thursday morning to interview Balonglong for comment, but he left his office immediately.
In 2018, Balonglong was relieved from his duties as chief of the Las Pinas City Police’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) after 36 of his men were linked to the alleged kidnapping of a drug suspect.
Some unconfirmed reports to the NBI said that Balonglong, together with other two police officers and two civilians, have been reported in Puerto Princesa to have engaged in shady deals involving the illegal selling of lands and an island.
Balonglong was also said to have attempted to sell the Isla Pandan, which raised alarm among residents as the island was known to be owned by the Maslog family in Puerto Princesa City.