Gov questions relief of bemedalled PNP officer

By Mar T. Supnad

DAGUPAN CITY – Gov. Amado Espino Jr. wants to retain the services of the province’s decorated intelligence chief of police, saying he will question the sudden relief of Supt. Joseph Wilson Lopez.

A recipient from the Metro Bank’s Top Outstanding Police Service (TOPS), Lopez was the chief of Pangasinan provincial police office’s intelligence branch and concurrent chief of the Special Operations Group.

He has been detailed in the province for a number of years. During his stint, he led a number of perilous operations that resulted to the neutralization of a number of big time syndicate leaders, crime groups and illegal drug pushers, making him one of the most outstanding police officers for several years.

A former police regional director and provincial director, Espino said he was not informed about the relief of Lopez and was reportedly the last person to learn about this by one of his most trusted police officers despite being the chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council .

Police provincial director Rosueto Ricaforte was also reportedly surprised with Lopez’s sudden relief.

Espino said he has sent a letter to police Director General Raul Bacalzo, a copy of which was also furnished to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Undersecretary for Peace and Order Rico Puno, questioning the sudden relief of Lopez.

“Nagtataka kami kung saan galing ang relief order niya samantalang maganda naman ang performance ni Col. Lopez,” Espino told newsmen.

Espino cited Lopez’s role in the campaign against insurgents in the province which later led to the declaration of Pangasinan as insurgency free.

He said the “unjustified relief” of Lopez will send a wrong message to the organization and will only demoralize other performing police officers in their job.

The relief order on Lopez took effect on March 21. Lopez for his part, said that being a professional police officer, he will abide by any order from the police hierarchy.

Newsmen, however surmised a defeated politician was behind the transfer of Lopez since he was insecure about his (Lopez) closeness to the governor.