The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office cleared Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, the relieved chief of police of Dumaguete City, from allegations that he is involved in illegal drug activities.

NOPPO deputy provincial director Supt. Alet Virtucio said the white paper earlier circulated, alleging that Tolentino was involved in drug activities, is not true and has no basis, and aimed to malign, not only Tolentino but to discredit the PNP organization as a whole.

The allegation surfaced a few days after Tolentino was relieved from his post by NOPPO director, Senior Supt. Edward Carranza, after the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group claimed that the COP intervened in the arrest of a drug suspect, who Tolentino said, is an asset of the Dumaguete Police Office.

Virtucio said that, based on the verification and review of the accomplishments of the Dumaguete City Police Station, under the leadership of Tolentino, 61 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted that resulted in the arrest of 84 drug pushers and users, who has been charged in court.

This indicates that Tolentino was dedicated to his profession and has never been involved in any illegal or nefarious activities, he added.

In a phone interview, Carranza said that, the investigation conducted by Chief Insp. Dominiciano Distrito Jr. on the reported interference of Tolentino in the arrest of a drug suspect, “shows that there was only miscommunication in said anti-illegal drug operation.”

However, Carranza said there are still lapses in the police operational procedure, and that the PNP Region 7 will be the one to conduct a summary hearing on the case.

Carranza said Tolentino and PAIDSOTG head, Insp. Janelito Marquez, have not yet been reinstated to their positions pending orders from the PNP regional command. The two are detailed at NOPPO.*RA

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