PNP exec relieved over missing guns

By Eva Visperas

URDANETA CITY – The chief of police here has been relieved from his post pending an investigation into missing firearms.

Superintendent Marcelino Desamito Jr. was assigned to the regional police office starting Friday.

Superintendent Jackie Candelario, deputy police director for operations and information officer of the Pangasinan police, replaced Desamito.

Nine other Urdaneta City policemen were removed from their posts and transferred to the provincial police office to ensure an impartial probe. 

Candelario said 41 firearms were reported missing after an inventory on Dec. 8. A total of 24 firearms have been recovered since last week.

Initial investigation showed the firearms were either pawned or sold to private individuals.