Revamp irked councilors

VOICING displeasure at the sudden exit of the city police chief, pro-administration City Council members took turns in questioning the appointment of a Camp Crame official to the city police office.

Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chairman of the police committee, said the action of the Philippine National Police (PNP) reeks of disrespect to and total disregard of the local government unit.

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"There was no courtesy at all from the higher PNP hierarchy. We have been bypassed," said Councilor Nacaya at the sidelines of the City Council session Tuesday.

Councilor Ramon Tabor, the majority floor leader, said the hasty replacement of Police Senior Superintendent Noel Armilla reminds him of the Martial Law era.

"The move was abnormal. It brought us back to the Martial Law era when all decisions are centralized," the councilor said.

Describing the revamp as "indecent," Nacaya said they are at a loss whether to blame the PNP or the Department of Interior and Local Government -- or both -- for bypassing the local chief executive in picking from a list of five candidates to replace Armilla.

He reminded the PNP that its power to change its personnel was "not exclusive."

Nevertheless, Nacaya said local officials are bound to "welcome" Cagayan de Oro City Police Office's (Cocpo) new chief, Senior Superintendent Benedicto Lopez, for the sake of the city's peace and order.

He said he can't speak the same thing in behalf of Mayor Constantino Jaraula, who earlier said he was taken aback to learn that the city has a new police director.

Lopez, for his part, said he was confident in carrying out his duties as his appointment was based on "lawful orders." (ALR)