BY ADRIAN STEWART CO and MAE SINGUAY
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte sacked Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo and four other police officers for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs. He announced the policemen’s firing at a private event at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday night.
“I’d like to know if the chief of police (of Bacolod City) is here. If you are here kindly stand up because you are fired as of this moment,” Duterte was quoted as saying.
The President was the special guest at the private birthday party of Vallacar Transit chief executive officer Leo Rey Yanson, according to the Presidential Communications Operations Office yesterday.
He also took potshots at a city councilor for allegedly being an illegal drugs protector.
A source at the party quoted the President as addressing the councilor who was not around, “Sampalin kita…you are protecting or in cahoots with drug syndicates in the city.”
The President however, did not offer any evidence against this councilor whose name this paper is withholding for now while attempts are being made to get his side.
“In your involvement in drugs and making the people of Bacolod miserable, I am relieving and dismissing you from the service as of now, Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo,” said Duterte.
The country’s Chief Executive also axed BCPO’s Senior Superintendent Allan Rubi Macapagal, Superintendent Richie Makilan Yatar, Superintendent Nasruddin Daud Tayuan, and Senior Inspector Victor Paulino.
According to Duterte, the sacked policemen were protecting drug syndicates in Bacolod City. He, however, did not offer evidence nor cited the sources of his information.
He ordered them to report to his office on Monday (Jan. 14) at 2 p.m.
“These persons that I have mentioned have something to do with the interest of the city…you are protecting or you are in cahoots with drug syndicates,” the President said.
Western Visayas police director Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said the relief of Ebreo and the other police officers were effective immediately.
Bulalacao, however, said he was not sure if all of the four other police officers were still assigned in Western Visayas as some of them were reportedly moved to Mindanao already.
Among the names that the President mentioned, Bulalacao said Ebreo’s surprised him.
Ebreo was “delivering substantial accomplishments” in the campaign against illegal drugs in Bacolod City, said Bulalacao.
“All the while I trusted him in our campaign,” Bulalacao said. “But I have to investigate and follow the instructions of the President because he must have basis for announcing these names.”
Bulalacao said an officer-in-charge has been assigned to the BCPO – Senior Superintendent Henry Binas from the regional police office.
Biñas used to head the Iloilo City Police Office./PN
