By Ines B. Tagacay

CONTROVERSIAL CITY Police Chief Enrique Ancheta has been relieved of his post early last week by the Philippine National Police Region IV-B Office following accusations of abuse of authority, murder and recently, attempted rape.

Ancheta’s relieve was confirmed to Palawan Times by both Provincial PNP Chief Supt. Dennis Peña and Regional Police Supt. Luisito Tinio Palmera in a telephone interview.

“Ang basehan ng pagkaka-relieve niya rito sa Puerto Princesa ay iyong mga kaso na isinampa sa kanya dito. Marami kasi siyang kasong kinakaharap (The basis for his relieve are the many cases filed against him here. He’s facing many cases, that’s why),” Peña said.

Peña disclosed too that it is likely that Ancheta will be dismissed from the police service because he also has other cases in Manila. These cases, he stated, tend to mar the integrity of the PNP in the country.

“The apparent recommendation for these cases is dismissal from the service. These cases were filed against him long before he even came to Puerto Princesa,” Peña revealed.

Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, according to Peña, has requested for a one week delay of Ancheta’s relieve order, but he did not explain what it was for.

Ancheta’s woes in Puerto Princesa started with the filing of a murder case against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the shooting and killing of suspected theft Eduardo Tipanao, alias Eddie Pitong, on March 28.

It was followed by four other cases, attempted rape, grave threat, violation of Republic Act 7438 or the Expanded Rights of an Accused under Custodial Investigation and maltreatment of prisoner.

The NBI was again responsible for filing these cases that stemmed from a complaint of a suspected “exhibitionist” who was reportedly ordered to do lewd acts while detained at the City PNP.

Ancheta’s defense

On June 4, in his return to Puerto Princesa, Ancheta vehemently denied all the accusations against him in an interview with Louie Larrosa over environment radio DYER.

Meek and unassuming, Ancheta explained using a low-toned voice that in the Eddie Pitong murder case, the family of the victim has already issued an affidavit of desistance and has agreed to an out of court settlement.

He also maintained innocence in the four cases that was filed anew by the NBI against him, claiming that in due time, his name will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

Ancheta also said that as soon as his name is cleared, Hagedorn will request for his reassignment in Puerto Princesa again.

“What I just wanted is to serve the people of Puerto Princesa by doing my best,” Ancheta told Larrosa, in between reading text messages that favor his stay, which many claimed has effectively stopped drag racing, vagrancy and drinking sprees along street corners that often cause trouble.

He also apologized to Peña for accosting a vehicle he owned that has no plate number and to City Councilor Jack Palanca whose son he arrested for a minor offense.

“I am asking for your forgiveness, I was just doing my job,” he said.

Ancheta trusts that he can return to Puerto Princesa as chief of police as soon as he has cleared his name.

“If you are doing the right thing, what people do is to get back at you by filing counter charges, which make our jobs hard for us,” he said, meanwhile, via another local radio station.

“I have nothing personal against those who continue to accuse me, I merely did my job as a police officer,” he added.

Different reactions

City Councilor Luis Marcaida, on the other hand, said he was surprised that Ancheta has been relieved. “We were surprised because he’s really a good policeman and he’s very strict to implement laws, which is very good,” he said.

He also said it is for the court to determine if Ancheta is “guilty or not” of the six cases filed against him by the NBI.

Councilor Miguel Cuaderno, on the other hand, said the beleaguered former City PNP chief has done a lot of good things in Puerto Princesa. “Let us just hope that without him, our streets will remain safe because let us admit it, he really did well while he was the head of the police here,” he said.

Councilor Roger Castro, surprised too, said he will not forget Ancheta. “Whatever his cases are, they’re for the court to settle. I only hope that the one who will replace him will emulate his good deeds in the city. We, in the Council, believe that he did his best to lead the City PNP. He was very active,” he stated.

“If he needs any help, we are here to help him,” Castro said.

Estepa in

Police Supt. Romie Estepa has been designated officer-in-charge of the City PNP by the PNP Region IV-B. He arrived in Puerto Princesa on May 31 to take over a post that has been marred by intrigues for the last couple of months.

In an interview with him by Palawan Times, Estepa said he is yet to receive proper orders for him to take over as City PNP officer-in-charge. As soon as the one week request for delay of relieve by Hagedorn is over, he is ready to work with the help of the residents of Puerto Princesa.

“My status right now was declared by the provincial director as incoming OIC City PNP chief, but it will take effect next week,” he said.

Estepa hailed from the Special Action Force of the PNP Regional Headquarters. He’s 40 years old and single, and belongs to the PNP Class 1992. He is known as a good policeman, according to Palmera.