By I. Inojales | 02:21 PM March 16, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — The chief of the Tagbilaran City Police Station has been relieved from his post as authorities continue investigating a viral video showing a man allegedly being forced into a vehicle, city officials said Monday.
Mayor Jane Yap said she met earlier in the day with Patricio Degay Jr., provincial director of the Bohol Police Provincial Office, along with John Gelbert Basalo, provincial superintendent of the Bohol Provincial Internal Affairs Service, and Judy Mar Bonilla, deputy provincial director for administration of the BPPO, to discuss the status of the ongoing investigation.
During the meeting, officials confirmed that Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober, chief of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, and several police personnel were relieved from their current assignments effective March 16, 2026, in line with an order issued by the Bohol Police Provincial Office.
City officials said the move aims to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation into the incident captured in a video circulating on social media, which shows a man allegedly being pulled and forced into a vehicle.
Bonilla has been designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) chief of police of the Tagbilaran City Police Station while authorities await the appointment of a permanent replacement.
Yap said the relief of Escober and other personnel should not be seen as a finding of guilt but rather as a step to allow a deeper and objective investigation.
She also expressed appreciation for Escober’s service, noting that his leadership helped strengthen cooperation between the city government, the police, and private sector partners in maintaining peace and order in the city.
“Public service sometimes calls for difficult but necessary steps,” Yap said, assuring residents that the city government remains committed to working closely with the Philippine National Police and other agencies to ensure accountability and public safety.
Authorities earlier launched an investigation after a video circulated online showing a man allegedly being forced into a vehicle in Tagbilaran City, prompting concern among residents and calls for clarification from law enforcement.
City officials said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
