Incompetent police chiefs set for relief: Ilocos brass warned on rise in killings

By Mar T. Supn

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -- Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen, Region 1 police director, warned he will relieve provincial police directors and chiefs of police in the region if they fail to minimize the rising number of killings and shooting incidents.

Hilomen said the spate of killings and shootings the first six months of this year was alarming.

“In Ilocos Sur alone, the number of shooting incidents and killings from January to June, this year, based on reports, is quite alarming, and it should be addressed immediately,” he said.

A report submitted by Senior Supt. Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur police director, to Hilomen showed that of the 49 shooting incidents and killings in the first six months, only four (8.16 percent) were solved by his command.

Hilomen, meanwhile, said he will let the axe fall on where it should, adding that some cops are virtually sleeping on the job. Hilomen said the goons and hired killers in Abra might have come to Ilocos Sur after they were driven away by the additional forces in the trouble-rocked province.

Based on Fabros’ report presented at the command conference last week, the shooting killing incidents were broken down as follows: January, 7; February, 15; March, 10; April, 6; May, 9; and June, 2.

But the apparent failure to prevent and solve the killings and shooting incidents in the province prompted Hilomen to warn police officers concerned of a possible relief.

"Sabi ko sa kanila na tatanggalin ko sila sa kanilang puwesto kung hindi nila kaya ang kanilang trabaho dahil masyasdo ng malaki ang bilang ng mga barilan at patayan sa kanilang lugar," Hilomen said.

This reporter tried to get the side of Fabros, a native of Nueva Ecija, but the police officer refused to answer media questions. Ilocos Norte, based on the reports, had 65 shooting incidents in the first six months, and only 16 (24.62 percent) were solved.