Gamboa orders Puerto Princesa police chief relieved

Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has ordered the administrative relief of the city director of Puerto Princesa City Police Office over the officer's alleged involvement in a maltreatment incident of Environment personnel and barangay officials.

A news release from the PNP national headquarters identified the official as Police Colonel Marion Balonglong.

“The allegations against Balonglong are serious and his relief is an administrative action to preclude any possibility of undue influence in the ongoing investigation,” the news release quoted Gamboa's written instructions on Balonglong.

PNP's information office said Gamboa's instructions were transmitted to PRO-MIMAROPA Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Nicerio Obaob, saying the relief order should immediately take effect.

Obaob assured the PNP chief that all allegations against Balonglong will be thoroughly investigated based on evidence and verified accounts of witnesses.

A report on a local news daily indicated that on June 10, Balonglong arrested some personnel of the Department of Environment of Natural Resources, and two barangay officials investigating the mangrove logging operations in Barangay Matahimik-Bucana.

According to the report, Balonglong, at gunpoint, ordered the  victims to lie face down on the ground, and kicked them before having them arrested. —LBG, GMA News