POLICE MAJOR
ANDIE CORPUS
The officials of Panglao town and social media observers in Bohol were shocked to
learn that Police Major Andie Corpus was relieved of his post as chief of police.
Panglao Mayor Boy Arcay said he was disappointed with the development, especially
since Corpus had been performing well in his role.
Corpus, who is a native of Panglao, was appointed to the position in 2022 after Arcay
specifically requested him.
In his short time in office, Corpus led several successful operations against illegal drugs,
including a raid on June 24 that resulted in the seizure of more than two kilos of shabu
with an estimated value of P13.7 million.
Corpus’s team was also responsible in the arrest of suspected drug personality, a
certain Joey Atacador, who was reported to be the alleged driver of Dauis Mayor
Roman Bullen during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Libaong, Panglao early in June
2023.
In April this year, Major Corpus was responsible to the seizure of P7.1 million worth of
shabu from alleged drug dealer Matt Darnel Abuyabor, a resident of Tagbilaran City
who was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tangnan, Panglao.
Despite his accomplishments, Corpus was relieved of his post on Friday, raising
questions about the politicization of the police force and the fairness of the promotion
process.
Officials from the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said that Corpus was simply
awaiting promotion and would be transferred to Police Regional Office -7 (PRO-7).
However, many suspect that there is another reason for Corpus’ removal.
Some officials plan to bring the matter to the attention of the PNP chief and DILG
Secretary Benhur Abalos.
Netizens have also expressed their disbelief and outrage over Corpus’ removal.
“You perform well and you get replaced,” wrote Philip Sarmiento about Major Corpuz.
Virgilio Abueva said that the position of police chief has become a political position, with
politicians deciding who should hold it.
“This defeats the purpose of what the PNP should be, which is national in scope,” he
said.
Bohol Police Chief Clarifies Relief of Panglao Chief
The head of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) has clarified that the relief of the
chief of police in the town of Panglao is not related to the recent big arrests of illegal
drugs in the area.
P/Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, spokesperson of the BPPO, said that the relief of P/Maj. Andie
Corpus as the chief of police in the Panglao police station is part of a promotion
process.
Corpus has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and as such, he is entitled
to a seat in the TO or Term Office.
The TO is a temporary position that is usually filled by officers who have been promoted
but are waiting for a permanent assignment, Nuez said.
Nuez said that Corpus’s relief has nothing to do with the recent successes of the
Panglao police station in the war on drugs.
In the past few months, the police station has arrested several high-value drug suspects
and seized large quantities of illegal drugs.
“The relief of Maj. Corpus is purely a matter of promotion,” Nuez said. “He has been a
very effective chief of police in Panglao, and we are confident that he will continue to be
successful in his new assignment.”
Nuez also denied that Corpus’s relief was related to the recent shooting incident
involving a foreign national. The incident occurred on June 28, when a man from South
Korea was shot and killed by a security guard at a bar in Panglao. The security guard
has since been arrested and charged with murder.
“The relief of Maj. Corpus is not related to the shooting incident,” Nuez said. “The
investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we will not prejudge the outcome.”
Nuez said that the BPPO is committed to the war on drugs and that it will continue to
work with the local government and other law enforcement agencies to keep Bohol safe.