(Eagle News)–The police chief of Negros Oriental and three other police officials were relieved over the police operations in the province that led to the killings of 14 people.
Relieved were Col. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental police director; Lt. Col. Patricio Degay, Canlaon City police chief; Lt. Kevin Roy Mamaradlo, Manjuyod police chief and; Capt. Michael Rubia, Sta. Catalina chief of police.
The relief of the high-ranking police officials was done by Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde himself reportedly to pave the way for an impartial investigation.
This was even after Albayalde defended the operations, saying they were covered by legitimate search warrants.
He added not all suspects were killed because they resisted arrest, saying 12 other individuals had been arrested.
Leftists had condemned the killings, saying many of those killed were farmers.