THE PROVINCIAL police director of Negros Oriental and the chiefs in one city and two towns have been relieved from their posts as the investigation on the death of 14 farmers suspected as communist supporters gets underway, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde announced on Tuesday. The officers are: Provincial Director Col. Raul Taaca; Lt. Col. Patricio Degay of the Canlaon City police, Captain Michael A Rubia of Sta. of Catalina, and Lt. Kelvin Roy Mamaradlo of Manjuyod. “I would like to emphasize that their relief is not a punitive measure for alleged actions or inactions, rather it is an administrative relief to ensure that they will not be able to exert any influence in the ongoing investigation by the Internal Affairs Service and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management,” said Mr. Albayalde in a press briefing. The PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government will provide legal assistance to the police officers. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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