Pulupandan municipal police chief, Police Senior Inspector Allan Reloj, who was earlier relieved as commander of the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station in connection to the arrest of Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, filed a complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Ma. Consolacion Bascug.

In his letter to DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, dated January 12, 2018, he accused Bascug of having “a penchant for dismissing illegal drugs cases,” which results in accused drug lords going free. The law enforcement official went on to color the provincial prosecutor as an “undesirable and eccentric character.”

He pointed out, in terms of the case surrounding Garcia-Yulo, who was earlier arrested, alongside her husband, for illegal possession of firearms, explosives, and illegal drugs, Bascug ordered their release on the grounds of “mere possession” as prima facie, or evidence utilized to provide a first impression of a case.

Reloj noted, however, illegal possession of explosives is a non-bailable offense.

“It is truly erroneous for Prosecutor Bascug to release the Yulos from detention,” he added.

The Pulupandan police chief called on Aguirre to remove Bascug from office.

Last month, Reloj led the arrest of the city official at a police checkpoint, where firearms, explosives, and suspected drugs were seized from the Yulos’ vehicle.

Garcia-Yulo claimed the checkpoint was illegal and the two were later released from custody by order of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

She and her husband proceeded to file a complaint against Reloj after finding out their release was ordered on December 29, 2017, but were freed on January 8, 2018.

Following the incident, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., ordered Reloj’s relief and transferred him to the Pulupandan Municipal Police Station./DGB, WDJ