Eight Bicol Police Officials Relieved Over Delayed Custody Death Report
In a significant administrative move, eight officials from the Bicol Regional Police Office have been relieved from their posts following irregularities in the reporting of a death of a person under police custody (PUPC) in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. The announcement was made during a press conference on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño.
Officials Affected by the Relief Order
The relieved officials include a range of key personnel across multiple police stations and divisions. Specifically, the list comprises:
- The police provincial directors of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes
- The chief, chief investigator, and investigator-on-case of the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station in Camarines Sur
- The chief of the Police Regional Office Bicol Region Investigation and Detective Management Division and San Miguel municipal police station
- The chief and warrant section chief of the San Miguel Municipal Police Station in Catanduanes
Brigadier General Tuaño emphasized that the administrative liability stems from the delayed reporting of the incident. "Let us clarify that the administrative liability identified by the regional office concerns their late reporting of the incident, which reportedly took nearly 12 days before the report reached the regional headquarters," he stated.
Details of the Custody Death Incident
The PUPC was originally arrested in Pasig City on murder charges. On February 6, while being transported to San Miguel, Catanduanes, alongside another detainee—a rape suspect—the PUPC allegedly attempted to escape. This prompted a chase and an exchange of gunfire with police officers. According to the arrested rape suspect, his fellow detainee elbowed one of their escorts before fleeing.
Following the incident, four police officers—a police corporal and three patrolmen—were placed under restrictive custody. They are currently facing homicide charges in connection with the death. Forensic tests revealed that three of the four policemen tested positive in a paraffin test, indicating they had fired a gun, while the PUPC tested negative for gunpowder residue.
The relief of these eight officials underscores the PNP's commitment to accountability and proper protocol in handling sensitive cases. The delayed reporting, which spanned nearly two weeks, has raised serious concerns about transparency and efficiency within the regional police operations. This case highlights ongoing challenges in police custody management and the importance of timely incident reporting to ensure justice and public trust.
