BACOLOD CITY—The acting director of the Negros Occidental Provincial Police, Sr. Supt. William Señoron, and five other police officers were relieved of their posts Monday afternoon due to their alleged involvement in illegal drug operations.
The relief order was issued by Chief Supt. Renato Gumban, acting director of Police Regional Office-18 in the Negros Island Region, according to spokesperson Sr. Insp. Armilyn Vargas.
Sr. Supt. Rolando Miranda, chief of PRO-18 Regional Directorial Staff, took over the post of Señoron.
The five others relieved were Supt. Edel Jose Manzano, chief of the Cadiz City Police; Supt. Placido Gentoleo of the Bacolod City Police; Supt. Antonietto Cañete of PRO-18; Chief Insp. Edison Garcia of the Regional Intelligence Division; and Police Officer 1 Eric Alcosaba of the Bacolod City Police Station 7.
Five, including Señoron, were transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit. Alcosaba was assigned to the Regional Public Safety Battalion.
Gumban issued the relief order days after the region’s top drug suspect Ricky Serenio issued a supplemental affidavit that mentioned the names of the six police officers.
Señoron has denied the allegations stated in Serenio’s affidavit.
He said he has not yet received a copy of the relief order, but committed to follow the directive despite his misgivings.
“The truth will prevail,” he added.
Serenio, in his affidavit, stated that the six police officers were receiving protection money from the “Berya” drug group.
Earlier, Gumban said he referred Serenio’s affidavit to the Regional Internal Affairs Service for the filing of administrative cases, if the police officers are proven guilty following the investigation.