Bicol region: Eight police officers in the Bicol Region have been relieved from their posts for allegedly delaying the reporting of a detainee's death.

According to Philippines News Agency, the incident came to light during a Thursday briefing where Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o disclosed that the report regarding the detainee's death took nearly 12 hours to reach the regional headquarters. Tua±o highlighted the administrative liability of the officers, stating, "Sila ay na-relieve. Ang administrative liability na nakita ng regional office sa kanila, ito 'yung late reporting ng nasabing insidente na umabot ng halos 12 oras bago nakarating sa regional headquarters 'yung nasabing report."

The officers relieved from their duties include several high-ranking officials: the Region Investigation and Detective Management Division chief of the Police Regional Office 5, the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office director, the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office director, and the chiefs of both the Del Gallego and San Miguel Municipal Police Stations. Additionally, several investigators from Del Gallego Municipal Police Station and the warrant section chief from San Miguel Municipal Police Station were also relieved.

Brig. Gen. Tua±o indicated that there is a possibility of reinstatement for the officers if cleared of the allegations, saying, "Kung sakali sila ay ma-clear, sila naman ay maaaring ibalik sa kanilang pwesto."

The delayed report is tied to an incident involving four officers from Camarines Sur who are under investigation for the fatal shooting of a detainee who allegedly attempted to escape custody. The officers are facing homicide charges before the local prosecutor and administrative cases before the National Police Commission.

The sequence of events began on February 6 when officers were transporting a murder suspect and a rape suspect from Pasig City to Catanduanes. During a stop along Rolando Andaya Highway, the handcuffs of the suspects were removed. The murder suspect allegedly attacked an officer, seized a rifle, and fled towards a nearby forest, leading to a chase and subsequent shootout.

An autopsy revealed the detainee had sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder, chest, and head. Following the incident, the detainee's wife and two children filed a homicide complaint against the responding officers.