The series of reassignments in the Davao City Police Office are not politically motivated, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.
“Perhaps, because of some political issues, some people gave color to the reassignments,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.
“But we want to assure everyone that this — what is happening that is being connected to events in Davao because of the current political issues — is far from reality,” she added.
She said police officials are selected based on their potential contribution to the programs of the PNP.
On Wednesday, the Davao City Police Office changed leadership three times.
PRO 11 spokesperson Maj. Catherine dela Rey said Col. Lito Patay first assumed the position before it was turned over to Col. Sherwin Butil then finally to Col. Hansel Marantan.
Marantan, who was implicated in an alleged rubout case in Atimonan, Quezon, in 2013, is now tje acting chief of the DCPO.
“The order for Sir Patay’s designation as DCPO officer-in-charge was effective July 8, Monday. But he assumed the post on July 10, yesterday,” Dela Rey said.
“During his (Patay’s) command conference, he received a directive that his designation as OIC was terminated and his replacement was Col. Sherwin Butil,” she said.
PRO 11 then received a directive from the PNP headquarters to install Marantan as Butil’s replacement.
In May, some 35 DCPO police officers were relieved amid an ongoing investigation into drug-related killings in the city.
Last month, three police officials and 12 others were also relieved over alleged violations in serving the arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
