The Philippine National Police (PNP) has denied that the reassignment of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz was connected to the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.

PNP spokesperson P/Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo dismissed speculations that Macapaz was removed from his post due to irregularities in the handling of the controversial case.

“It’s not true that someone had requested his removal from the CIDG,” Fajardo said. “It would be very, very unfair to say there was a request from the Chief PNP [for Macapaz] to be removed from the CIDG. I could say this with all certainty — no one and nobody can dictate to the Chief PNP.”

Fajardo said it was Macapaz himself who requested a reassignment to a regional police command, a position typically held by a two-star general, in anticipation of a career progression.

However, under PNP rules, Macapaz cannot be promoted any further as he has less than one year left before mandatory retirement.

“General Macapaz can no longer be promoted. We have a rule that if you are less than one year from retirement, you cannot be promoted,” Fajardo said.