Manila: The newly designated officer-in-charge police director of Negros Oriental, along with six new police chiefs, has taken charge following the relief of their predecessors over the weekend, an official announced on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), confirmed that Col. Lito Patay reported to the province on Sunday. Patay was designated by Negros Island Region police director Brig. Gen. Roman Cardi±o to replace Col. Timmar Alam. Col. Patay and the new police chiefs assumed their roles on Sunday to ensure continuity, despite the absence of an official relief order.

The relieved officers, effective August 28, include Lt. Col. Joeson Parallag of Bayawan City; Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo of Guihulngan City; Capt. Mary Jean Gutierrez of Sibulan; Capt. James Taylor Pineda of Pamplona; Capt. Arturo Marfil of Tayasan; and Capt. Joesanne Magalso of Ayungon. Their replacements are Lt. Col. Ronel Fungo in Bayawan City; Lt. Col. Nerito Lobrido in Guihulngan City; Maj. Antonio De Leon in Sibulan; Capt. Roldan Mara±a in Pamplona; Lt. Angel Sorrera in Tayasan; and Capt. Berwyn Sore±o in Ayungon.

Col. Alam was also relieved under the principle of command responsibility. Cardi±o ordered the relief under the Philippine National Police's "one-strike policy" against illegal gambling, following simultaneous operations by the Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region. Six individuals were arrested during these operations for allegedly engaging in illegal numbers games, violating Republic Act No. 9287, or the Anti-Illegal Numbers Games Act of 2001.

Polinar noted that the NOrPPO is awaiting further instructions from higher headquarters regarding the formal turnover of command.