Former Tagbilaran City police chief Supt. Nicomedes Olaivar and two other police officers were tagged as a protectors of illegal gambling by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan (PCSO) on Tuesday.

The allegation, although still being probed by the police Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF), led to the police officer’s reassignment in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato.

Senior Supt. Chiquito Malayo, chief of the CITF confirmed receiving complaints but did not disclose more information to national media as the investigation is ongoing.

PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan identified the two other policemen linked to illegal gambling as Superintendent Joel Quintero and SPO4 Clarito Aparicio.

For his part, PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz told national media that the alleged protection racket of the police officers was exposed through the Authorized Agent Corporation, a business entity playing the charity game of the expanded Small Town Lottery.

The PCSO then reportedly relayed the information to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and proposed to have the policemen relieved from their posts.

However, Olaivar has already sworn to have no involvement in any protection racket even before the accusation was made public.

He delivered his statement before Bohol media as he questioned his abrupt transfer pointing out his intensified campaign against illegal drugs and illegal numbers game swertres.

“Naglibog lagi ko ug unsay hinungdan nga gibalhin ko nga nasayod man mo [media] bisan sa swertres kusog kaayo ang atong dakop,” said Olaivar last week. “Bisag piso wala pod ko nidawat ana para sa ilang proteksyon ato jud ng gipangdakop ilabi na sa drugs.”

Olaivar has been previously recognized by Bohol officials for his relentless drive against illegal drug activities in Bohol even before the Duterte administration launch its anti-drug campaign in July last year.

The police officer was officially reassigned on March 28 but reason behind the transfer remained unclear until Balutan’s disclosure was made Tuesday. (Allen Doydora)