Mayor assembles lawyers to file case vs PRO 7 chief

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama will be writing the Office of the President and the National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame for the removal of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 chief Marcelo Garbo Jr.

Rama also organized a group of lawyers for the filing of charges against Garbo for deploying a battalion at the Cebu Provincial Capitol last Wednesday.

Garbo said he is willing to be replaced.

"Karapatan niya 'yan. The good mayor can ask the Department of Interior and Local Government and President to do that," he said.

Garbo deployed the Regional Public Safety Battalion 7 at the area following the padlocking of the office of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia by Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale.

Yesterday, Rama tasked City Legal Office chief Joseph Bernaldez, City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and private lawyers to study the possible cases to be filed against Garbo.

"Ang ilang gi-padlockan naa sa gawas. Ang ilang gida nga police is usa ka-battalion.

Is there lawlessness happening? That will be the focus of ethical, administrative, criminal, civil or other aspect that will be discussed by my lawyers," he said.

Police

"I am not doing this for me. This is not about the governor. This is about how the police are handling the matter there," he said.

Aside from deploying a battalion in the area, Rama also questioned the move of the police to place a yellow line at the Capitol.

"Is there a crime ongoing at Capitol?" he said.

Rama said these moves by the police at the Capitol are not valid as there was no court order directing PRO 7 to deploy a battalion and place a yellow line in the area.

Removal

As for the removal of Garbo, Rama said he will be sending his letter in the coming days and hopes Malacañang and the PNP will act on it as soon as possible.

"I'm not happy with the way he is operating as regional director anymore. I cannot see gentlemanliness in his operation," he said.

In a press conference, Garbo said he welcomed the plan of Rama to file a case against him.

"It's part the risk of being a police officer," he told reporters.

Functioning

Garbo considered reducing the 40 Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 7 personnel as Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale is already functioning.

On the issue that he was already overstaying, Garbo said the national headquarters extended his stay beyond six months.

"I thought I would be pulled back to Camp Crame. They extended my tour of duty," he said.

Garbo said he wanted to shy away from politics to protect his organization.

"Our main duty is to serve and protect and maintain peace and order," he said.