By Xander Ledesma
Three police officers from the Dumanjug Police Station were relieved of their duties on Friday, October 25, 2024, following a complaint received by the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The complaint alleged that pigs from Negros Oriental were allowed entry into the province, violating the existing African Swine Fever (ASF) restrictions.
Police Captain Rex Eden Baguio, information officer of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), confirmed that Police Captain Kelvin Roy Mamaradlo, Dumanjug police chief; Police Lieutenant Heine Aspera, deputy station commander; and Police Staff Sergeant Reynold Burlado were temporarily transferred to the Provincial Holding Admin Unit of the CPPO, pending an administrative investigation.
An investigation is being conducted by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management to determine the involvement of the officers. Currently, Police Captain Michael Calaurian has been appointed as the acting Dumanjug police chief, while a permanent replacement is being sought.
The pigs’ entry from Negros Oriental had been previously banned in Cebu due to the threat of ASF. However, the current investigation is yet to confirm whether the police officers were directly involved in allowing the pigs to enter through the Dumanjug port.
“This is only an allegation at this point. The investigation is ongoing to determine if there was any involvement. This is why the province decided to remove them from their posts,” said Baguio.