The tanker had been carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil.

Here’s what the waters of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro look like on Sunday, March 5, following the incident. – Rappler.com

Join Inday Espina-Varona, Rappler’s head of regions, and Jee Geronimo, Rappler’s environment editor, for our special coverage on Sunday, March 5. Rappler reporter Dwight de Leon is on the field in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, where he talked to Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz. – Rappler.com

PNP Eastern Visayas spokesperson Police Colonel Bella Rentuaya told Rappler on Thursday, January 26, that “the investigation on them is continuing and they are now assigned at the PNP Regional Office” in Palo, Leyte.

Rentuaya did not mention how many cops were under probe but said they have ranks below full colonel.

On January 19, Eastern Visayas police chief Brigadier General Rommel Francisco Marbil relieved Catbalogan City OIC police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Cuntapay and six of his subordinates – Senior Master Sergeant Dennis Figueroa Padayao, senior staff sergeants Hermar Abotog, and Macario Rosal Fulgencio Jr., and corporals Harrison Duranggo Cinco, Steven Michael Tamayo Dadulla, and Igie Boy Saldino Rabuya.

Marbil reassigned all seven cops to the regional office in Palo, Leyte, and appointed Leyte Provincial police intelligence unit chief Lieutenant Colonel Dinvir Revita to replace Cuntapay.  

“I don’t have any personal knowledge or information why they were relieved,  but since there was an order from the PNP Director, it’s valid and legal,” Rentuaya told Rappler. 

Rappler is trying to reach Cuntapay and will update with new developments as soon as he responds.

The Eastern Visayas police spokesperson said the office frequently rotates cops to prevent corruption.

“Usually narerelieve ang isang police ‘pag lampas na ito sa time niya sa post (cop are relieved if they overstays in a post), or if you are involved in something. So that you won’t have the power to maneuver, you are relieved while the investigation is underway,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Every day, we closely monitor our personnel,” Rentuaya added. “The PNP is trying to clean the house and we want to send a message that nobody is immune.”

Twenty-one key PNP Easter Visayas officials, including two brigadier generals and 19 colonels, have followed the January 4 directive of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos to submit their courtesy resignation

Abalos’ order is part of efforts to purge the PNP of cops with drug links.

Marbil led the submission of courtesy resignation letters on January 5 and signed an affidavit disavowing any involvement in any illegal or criminal activity, or receiving bribes from anyone involved in illegal drugs. – Rappler.com

Spotlight Luzon compiles developing stories and special features from the seven administrative regions outside of Metro Manila. These are, from the north down: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol.   

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Spotlight Visayas brings you developing stories and special features from the regions of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.  

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The island has six administrative regions: Northern Mindanao, Davao Region in the south, Zamboanga Peninsula in the west, Caraga in the east, Soccsksargen in south-central Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Many of the cities and provinces in these regions have not been getting their place in the daily news cycle.

Spotlight Mindanao serves as our page to compile developing stories from Mindanao each day so that the island becomes a part of our daily news diet.

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How is the Marcos administration addressing the health and economic crisis? What are the key developments on the global front that also impact Filipinos?

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While in the country, Harris is expected to hold meetings with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. In a first, Harris is also scheduled to visit Puerto Princesa, Palawan, as the US seeks to demonstrate its commitment to back the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

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The President is visiting Thailand from November 16 to 19, and is expected to hold meetings with business personalities as well as bilateral talks with his counterparts from various governments. 

APEC, a forum with 21 members from the Asia-Pacific, focuses on regional economic integration. For 2022, the group’s thrust is on creating a “paradigm shift” for a “balanced and sustainable post-COVID-19 economy.” 

Bookmark this page to get updates from Bangkok as Marcos attends the APEC Summit.

The President is visiting Cambodia from November 9 to 13, his fourth official trip and his fifth known travel abroad since his term started.

Marcos is expected to hold at least four bilateral meetings with other heads of state on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

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