Alba denies transfer related to E-sabong (Latest Sabong News)
OUTGOING Police Regional Office 7 director Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba has denied allegations that his sudden removal as PRO 7 director had something to do with his intensive campaign against e-sabong (electronic cockfight betting).
Alba who was relieved from his post a little over two months after his appointment, said he will remain professional and follow orders from the higher office.
Although not aware of the reason behind his sudden reassignment, Alba said in an interview with SunStar that “just like a good soldier,” he will follow orders.
Alba expressed pride of the police he managed in Central Visayas for their high accomplishment against e-sabong compared to other regions in the Philippines.
“I just want to report that the accomplishment of PRO 7 is high, but then again I will return to the basic premise that transfer and relief is normal for us because we follow orders,” said Alba in a mix of Tagalog and English.
Alba who was replaced by Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis will be assigned as deputy director of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development in Camp Crame, replacing Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, who was assigned to PRO Davao.
The order was issued on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, Alba was posted in Central Visayas on Oct. 14.
Last week, the PRO Central Visayas ranked first among all police regional offices across the country in the Unit Performance Evaluation for the month of November as reported by the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.
The region also recorded the highest crime reduction from January to Dec. 9, 2022 and had the highest amount of confiscated illegal drugs from January to November.
In a separate message, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Alba’s reassignment was a “lateral movement,” noting that the post he will be occupying is also for a one-star general.
Turnover
During the turnover ceremony on Tuesday, December 20, Bearis said he will continue the programs started by Alba whom he described as a “snappy police officer.”
Bearis ordered all police commanders and national support unit commanders to implement all programs of the PNP to achieve a successful peace and order.
Bearis said he will focus on internal cleansing of corrupt policemen involved in illegal gambling and illegal drugs.
“They are not part of our team and must be immediately removed to bring back the nobility of our Philippine National Police organization,” said Bearis.
“I am reminding everyone of our strict no take policy of any form material or monetary, derived especially from operators of illegal gambling, illegal drugs and other entities of devious operations or activities,” added Bearis.
