BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has expressed respect for Provincial Board member Matt Palabrica’s inquiries regarding the legitimacy of antidrug operations by the Bingawan Municipal Police Station (MPS).
But IPPO spokesperson Major Rolando Araño said the operations, led by former Bingawan police chief Lieutenant Christ Ryan Inot, were considered legitimate until proven otherwise.
Araño highlighted the need for evidence to support any allegations.
Palabrica had earlier criticized the claim that Bingawan officials were involved in drug activities, labeling it as slanderous and urging for the confidentiality of police intelligence.
The controversy arose following the arrest of drug suspect Menandro Gelilang, found with P2.4 million worth of shabu.
Gelilang alleged that some town officials were receiving “drug protection money” and also mentioned his connections with Crismark Blancaflor, another drug suspect based in Negros Occidental.
The IPPO is investigating the possible involvement of police, local and barangay officials in Bingawan in drug activities.
Meanwhile, IPPO director Ronaldo Palomo has relieved Inot and three other police chiefs from their positions due to alleged protocol breaches, including operating outside their jurisdiction.
The three others were Lieutenant Dandy Ilalto of Banate, Lieutenant Danilo Noca of Leon and Lieutenant Renzo Martinez of Estancia./PN
