Lanao del Sur police chief transferred to ARMM

The provincial police director of Lanao del Sur has been relieved from his post amid the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said Tuesday.

Sindac said the order to transfer Senior Supt. Oscar Nantes to Region 12 came from the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters and took effect on June 2.

Sindac, however, refused to divulge the reason for the transfer.

"We were given the copy from Crame. Binigyan namin ng appropriate response. I cannot talk for Crame," he said.

Senior Supt. Restituto Lacano was tapped as officer in charge of Lanao del Sur Provincial Police.

The transfer order was confirmed by PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos.

"The transfer/reassignment will give a new frontier for PSSupt Nantes and challenge for the incoming OIC PSupt Lacano on a 'hold over' capacity until the regular provincial director arrives. Regional Director, PROARMM welcomes 'new blood' to the region," he said in a text message.

For days, Marawi City, a city in Lanao del Sur, has been the site of fierce clashes between government security forces and members of the Maute terrorist group.

The attack by the Maute group has prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to put the entire Mindanao under martial rule. —KBK, GMA News