Controversial Senior Inspector Santiago Rapiz is back as police chief of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, effective Feb. 19.

His return to the E.B. Magalona Police Station was ordered by Western Visayas police chief Wilfredo Dulay, and approved by Comelec regional director Renato Magbutay, Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said.

Rapiz was relieved as police chief of E.B. Magalona on Jan. 13, because of complaints filed against him by some town residents before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

On Feb. 6, Rapiz was named police chief of Pulupandan, on recommendation of Mayor Luis Mondia, which has approved by Franco and concurred in by the Comelec.

Franco said Rapiz will re-assume the E.B. Magalona police command on Monday.

On the other hand, Senior Inspector Rone Grajo, officer-in-charge of the E.B. Magalona police, will go back to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, he added.

The relief of Rapiz was questioned by E.B. Magalona Mayor Alfonso Gamboa who brought it to the attention of Western Visayas police director Wilfredo Dulay, PNP chief Oscar Calderon and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

"I am very happy about it. The process was followed and in the end good performance prevailed over fabricated accusations that were mere harassment. I am glad the PNP organization saw through it," Gamboa said. "The PNP upheld professionalism in their organization," he added.

During the election period, the PNP is under the control of the COMELEC and cannot transfer personnel without its approval.

Duilay said Gamboa had strongly recommended the immediate return of Rapiz to EB Magalona.

Rapiz said he will follow whatever are the orders of his superiors. Franco said he will submit a new list of names of police officers to Mondia, from whom he will select the new town police chief.*GPB

back to top