Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is currently serving as acting mayor, expressed surprise over Police Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido being relieved of his post as Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) deputy director.
“Honestly, I was surprised, in fact, we even had a meeting last Thursday,” the city official pointed out.
With regard to Espenido asking the Bacolod City government last month for additional logistical support for their campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, he said they received the request.
Last month, after the law enforcement official met with Barangay Banago officials and residents of Sitio Sibucao, which is located within the said neighborhood, to discuss the area’s ongoing problem with illegal drugs, Familiaran lauded the approach, calling it “effective.”
According to the city official, Espenido’s actions are part of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council information and education campaign in order to encourage local residents to avoid illegal drugs.
The acting mayor affirmed, with or without Espenido, the campaign against illegal drugs in the city will continue.
Last Friday, Espenido was relieved from both his BCPO post and as City Drug Enforcement Unit chief.
The police official was reassigned to Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters, specifically, the office of PNP chief, Police Director General Archie Gamboa.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered Espenido’s assignment to Bacolod City claiming the locality has been “badly hit” by illegal drugs./DGB, WDJ