THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) has relieved the commander of the Bajada Police Station (Police Station 18) following the arrest of an active policewoman assigned to the unit during an anti-smuggling operation in Davao Oriental.
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 21, DCPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Ma. Teresita Gaspan confirmed the administrative action.
“The chief of police of Bajada police station was replaced by Police Major Genesis Oriel,” Gaspan said. “While the investigation of the case is pending, the outgoing commander will be reassigned to the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Section.”
Gaspan said the relief order took effect immediately following the incident.
The administrative reshuffle stemmed from the Oct. 17 joint anti-smuggling operation at around 8:30 p.m. in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. Four suspects were arrested, including a police corporal assigned to DCPO Station 18 (Bajada) and an active CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) member attached to the Philippine Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion who served as the vehicle driver.
Also arrested were two civilian accomplices—identified under the aliases Alen, a laborer and suspected minor, and Abdel, who allegedly acted as the spotter for the operation.
The joint law enforcement unit seized seven master cases of untaxed, illegal cigarettes, marked money bundled with boodle money, four mobile phones, two handheld radios, various identification cards, and three sets of vehicle keys.
Meanwhile, Gaspan said they are preparing charges against the arrested policewoman.