Guinto out, Maghari takes charge of Aklan PNP

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL / Manila Bulletin / Panay News

KALIBO, Aklan - Outgoing Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Clarence Guinto will be reassigned at the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

Supt. Anthony Maghari, deputy provincial police director, is designated as officer-in-charge of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO).

The formal turn-over of command and press conference with the local media are scheduled tomorrow at Camp Pastor Martelino.

Guinto dismissed allegations that his relief has to do something with the abrupt relief of Boracay's police chief and four other policemen last month.

"The relief has nothing to do with the land dispute in Boracay Island involving security guards of a resort. I consider this relief as a promotion. I would welcome the relief order from higher authorities as outgoing Aklan police director," Guinto clarified.

Last month, Supt. Arnold Ardiente, former chief of Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) was relieved of his post on alleged illegal arrest and partial investigation of two security guards of Winace Resorts.

Ardiente and his four BSTPO personnel are assigned at the Police Regional Office 6 in Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City after their month-long training at Clark Field in Pampanga.

Guinto said he was among those consider by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to replace the six suspended police officers by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for violating police procedures in the investigation of the death of Trinidad Etong, wife of broadcaster Ted Failon.

Guinto, a lawyer and a member of PNP Academy Class of 1983, started thanking the local media and his police personnel for contributing to the success of his seven-months stint as Aklan police director.
He was also credited for his successful security plans of the Ati-Atihan festival and instituted projects like the ongoing Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) for police officers and construction of a P10-million three-storey modern police building in Camp Pastor Martelino.