PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Puerto Princesa City Police Chief Colonel Cristine Tabdi has been relieved from her post following a Good Friday shooting incident that left two police officers and one Bureau of Corrections personnel dead, according to official reports. 

The Philippine National Police has appointed Colonel Dennis de Leon as acting chief while investigations continue.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Sunday that Police Colonel Cristine Tabdi, chief of the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO), was removed from her position after a violent altercation escalated into a deadly shooting in Barangay Irawan on Good Friday.

The relief order was signed by Police Major General Constacio Chinayog Jr., director for personnel and records management, as part of accountability measures in the wake of the incident. Colonel Dennis de Leon has since been designated as the acting chief of PPCPO.

Initial reports revealed that the confrontation began at a wake when one police officer was allegedly punched. The officer left the gathering but later returned with companions, including the two other victims. The situation spiraled into gunfire, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a Bureau of Corrections employee.

Authorities have launched a deeper investigation into the incident, with Mimaropa regional police chief Brigadier General Jovencio Badua Jr. ordering a thorough probe. “The investigation will be conducted professionally, objectively and that due process will be observed,” Badua assured.

A Special Investigation Task Group has been formed to focus on the case, as police continue to track down suspects who remain at large. The PPCPO has condemned the incident, stressing that accountability and justice will be pursued.

The shooting has sparked public concern in Puerto Princesa, with residents demanding swift justice and stronger measures to prevent similar incidents. The PNP leadership emphasized that the relief of Colonel Tabdi was necessary to ensure impartiality and restore public trust in the city’s police force.

This development underscores the seriousness with which the PNP is addressing internal accountability, especially in cases where law enforcers themselves are involved in violent crimes. The investigation remains ongoing, with updates expected in the coming days as authorities work to resolve the case and bring those responsible to justice.