THE power connection of the Consolacion Police Station was restored at 10 a.m. yesterday, two days after the town mayor ordered it cut off over the relief of his two bodyguards.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Jesus Gaquing said he was thankful that Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob had the power and phone lines restored and hopes that whatever differences they had would be put behind them in the interest of public service.

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“I hope we will let things pass, katong mga nangagi na,” Gaquing told reporters yesterday.

He still has to discuss with other officers of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 whether they should continue applying for their own electrical and telephone connections, now that Gungob restored their connection.

Gungob, however, said what he did was meant as a warning to the CPPO.

For two days, the police station had no lights and telephone lines, although there was just enough power to operate their radio communication sets and computer units.

Gungob earlier said he wanted to send a message to the police after two of his bodyguards were relieved from the Consolacion Police Station.

Two policemen who were detailed with Gungob are facing an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, which was why they were relieved.

In his answer to a letter sent to him by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Pedro Noval Jr., Gungob said his power to recommend for the transfer, reassignment or detail of policemen, based on Republic Act 6975 or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Reform Law, was violated when Gaquing recalled his two bodyguards without him knowing it.

No threat

Gungob said that since the CPPO recalled his bodyguards despite the threats on his life, then there was no reason for his town’s policemen to stay.

He said that if police saw no threat to him then there was no threat to Consolacion’s peace and order and thus policemen were no longer needed.

Gaquing said he will submit a formal report to the PRO 7 and to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Committee.

Gaquing admitted that the local government units contribute a lot to police operations. He said that aside from power, the local governments pay for their Internet connections, water consumption and gasoline for their vehicles.

Gaquing explained that Consolacion was not the only local government that provided support to the CPPO and its units, saying the Cebu Provincial Government also gave them support.

Asked if he got the message that Gungob wanted to convey, Gaquing only said they will accept Gungob’s comments and relayed his thanks for the reconnection.

He asked the police to continue with their duties in the town and respect Gungob as the mayor.

He declined to comment when asked if he will return the two bodyguards to Consolacion.

At the Capitol, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia asked the Provincial Attorney’s Office to coordinate with police in solving the problem. (MEA/With JKV/RSA)