ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Mayor Jerry Trenas is asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierachy to relieve two district police chiefs here for their alleged inefficiency.

Trenas said he had already met with Police Regional Office 6 Director, Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and Iloilo City Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Melvin Mongcal to discuss the relief of Sr. Inspector Danilo de los Santos, Chief of Police of Molo Police station, and Sr. Insp. Alexander Rosales of Lapaz Police Station.

Trenas said he personally requested Cuevas and Mongcal to relieve the two chiefs of police, citing their ineffectiveness in dispensing with their functions as basis for his recommendation.

Under the Local Government Code, the Chief Executive has authority over the local police. However, because of the election period, all assignments and transfer of police personnel are subject to the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) because of the upcoming May elections.

The movement of personnel is prohibited 60 days before the actual date of election and 60 days after the day of election.

The Iloilo City Mayor said De los Santos failed to solve last year’s shooting incident that occurred in front of the house of a political leader of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog in Molo district. He said De los Santos did not initiate any action to solve the shooting incident.

Trenas also pointed out Rosales’s ineffectiveness in failing to arrest PO1 Ronnie Refugio who reportedly harassed four of his children while they were conducting relief operation amongst the victims of the recent fire in Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz.

Trenas said it was very clear in video footages taken by two local TV stations that Refugio was still around when the police responded to the call relative to the incident.

It was not immediately known whether or not Cuevas and Mongcal have already referred to Comelec the Mayor’s request for the relief of the two chiefs of police.

Meanwhile, it was learned that De los Santos and Rosales were said to be ready to vacate their assignments in case Trenas’ recommendation is acted favorably by the poll body.