A police official who seized the mobile phone of a TV reporter covering the Black Nazarene Traslacion this year has been promoted to a higher position despite drawing flak from the public.

Following the order from Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa, Southern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan has been relieved from his post, and is now the new Deputy Regional Director for Operations at the National Capital Region Police Office.

JUST IN: SPD Director Nolasco Bathan has been relieved from his post, and is now the new Deputy Regional Director for Operations at the NCRPO.

He will be replaced by PCol Emmanuel Peralta. pic.twitter.com/iQjPaRi9DL

— Raffy Sison Santos (@raffsantos) February 7, 2020

Gamboa ordered on Friday the relief of a fresh batch of PNP officers, all being placed on floating status for various pending cases.

JUST IN: PNP Chief Archie Gamboa has ordered the relief of a fresh batch of PNP officers, all being placed on floating status for various pending cases. pic.twitter.com/ED2kkkVHwF

— Raffy Sison Santos (@raffsantos) February 7, 2020

During the Black Nazarene Traslacion, TV journalist Jun Veneracion said in a social media post that Bathan snatched his phone and deleted the video of a scuffle between lawmen and devotees. Veneracion later restored the video and posted it on Facebook.

Bathan apologized for his actions, saying it was meant to maintain peace and order.

• Cop apologizes to TV journalist for seizing phone during Traslacion

Secretary Eduardo Año reprimanded Bathan saying that the official shouldn’t have done that and said that they are conducting an investigation on the said matter.-With report from Raffy Sison Santos, ABS-CBN News

• 'He should have not done that': Año sinita ang paghablot ng heneral sa cellphone ng GMA reporter