KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 27 Dec) – The police provincial director in North Cotabato was relieved from his post effective Wednesday, four months after he assumed the position.
Senior Supt. Roque Alcantara, provincial director in North Cotabato, admitted he received a phone call on Wednesday from the office of the Police Regional Director based in General Santos City about his relief order.
“As a good soldier, I would follow the order… no more questions asked,” said Alcantara.
Alcantara would be replaced by Sr. Supt. Danny Peralta, former provincial police director of Sultan Kudarat.
Alcantara refused to comment on the information reaching media here that his relief has something to do with the filing of a criminal charge against a staff of Rep. Nancy Catamco (2nd Dist., North Cotabato).
In November, the provincial prosecutor in North Cotabato has filed criminal charges against Basilio Obello Jr., Catamco’s public affairs chief, for keeping an unlicensed firearm sometime May this year.
“I don’t know the reason for my relief. I have not received the copy of my order. I just received a call saying I must vacate my post,” said Alcantara.
Catamco or any of her staff has not given their reactions yet on the change in the provincial police command.
Cotabato Gov. Lala Mendoza, for her part, said that Alcantara’s stay in his command would depend much on his performance.
Early this month, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), led by Mendoza, passed a resolution which sought police and other government agencies to act on the rising criminalities in the province, especially on the increase in the number of motorcycle theft and robbery incidents.
She, however, denied reports the PPOC resolution has something to do with Alcantara’s relief. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)