Tupas surprised over Coronel's impending relief
Coronel
Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. was surprised over the reported impending relief of Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel.
Tupas told Capitol reporters in his regular press conference last week that he only learned about it through the media.
Tupas said, he had not talked with Coronel on the matter and neither Police Regional Office (PRO 6) regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. consulted him about it.
Normally, governors choose who would become the provincial director based on the choices given by the PNP central office.
Dulay last week revealed that Coronel would be relieved of his post before the end of February and that he would be replaced by Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal chief of the Regional Operations and Planning Division (ROPD).
Dulay further said Coronel would be transferred to the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame.
Asked about the possible reason for Coronel's relief, Dulay replied, “just part of routine reorganization.”
Coronel assumed as IPPO provincial director only in January last year. The maximum tenure of a PNP provincial director is two years.
Amid reports that Tupas was disappointed with Coronel's failure to intervene in the January 17 police assault of the capitol, the governor clarified that he is not privy of the move to relieve Coronel.
Tupas said he will just wait for the official communication on the matter as he knew it only from the media.
Meanwhile, Dulay said the there will also be reshuffling in the province of Antique. Antique provincial director Senior Supt. Ranulfo Demiar will be replaced by Senior Supt. Renz Darroca.
In Capiz Senior Supt. Co Yee Co Jr. was recently replaced by Senior Supt. Roberto Villanueva.