Stay apolitical, police officials remind personnel in towns

AS THE campaign period begins today, police officials reminded their personnel to remain apolitical.

First to be tested was the San Remigio Police Station, after it received a complaint from the camp of Benhur Salimbangon about the destruction of tarpaulins at the Hagnaya Wharf.

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Senior Insp. Rully Lauron, station chief, said Benhur’s daughter Daphne reported Sunday morning that two tarpaulins were destroyed by supporters of Celestino “Tining” Martinez III.

Lauron claimed Tining’s father, Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., told him they took down the tarpaulins, which the mayor was said to have found “misleading.”

Lauron told reporters that he spoke with Junie and that the latter told him they had the tarpaulins removed because these identified Salim-bangon as the fourth district representative.

The tarp says Salim-bangon is congressman when there’s already an SC decision that Tining is, Lauron said.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal said Tining also gave him a call, stating the same reasons for taking the tarpaulins down.

But Junie Martinez denied Lauron’s claim that he had taken responsibility for the taking down of “misleading” tarpaulins of Salimbangon. He cautioned Lauron from issuing “untrue” statements.

“I don’t know anything about that,” an irritated Mayor Martinez told Sun.Star Cebu last night.

He said his camp had nothing to do with trashing Salimbangon’s tarpaulins.

After that, Martinez turned off his phone to cut off the interview.

Report

Daphne Salimbangon reported to the police station at 8:20 a.m. Sunday that tarpaulins worth P15,000 each were removed and destroyed by two men last Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. and last Saturday at 4 p.m.

She identified them as Dario Misa and Junior Tadula.

On the other hand, Benhur Salimbangon plans to file a complaint against a councilor whom he accused of taking down his tarpaulin in San Remigio.

He said he has witnesses who identified a San Remigio councilor (name withheld since he could not be contacted for comment) as the one responsible for tearing down his tarpaulins.

“It happened in the presence of many people,” said Salimbangon.

He also complained that another tarpaulin placed at the Severo Verallo Memorial Hospital in Bogo City, indicating that the hospital accepts the Benhur health card, was also taken down.

“I will file the appropriate case and include moral damages for the embarrassing incident,” said Salimbangon.

Salimbangon’s complaint was referred to Bogo City acting election officer Carla Espina.

Espina said the police merely asked her if tarpaulins are restricted, which she said no because the election campaign will not be in effect until March 26.

Digal and Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Lani-o Nerez had told Lauron to consult election officers concerned.

Digal said the complaint is election-related and it’s best that election officers handle it. Both officers said they have to stick to their policy of remaining non-partisan. The policy was emphasized by Ray Roderos, directorate for Integrated Police Operations.

Roderos, who was the guest of honor and speaker during yesterday’s commemoration of the PNP anniversary, said they want all police officers to be in uniform, even while rendering security duties, to add more credibility to the elections.

As the campaign period starts, Nerez said checkpoints will be intensified. A schedule will also be established so checkpoints will not be conducted at the same time, causing inconvenience and unnecessary delays to motorists. (RSA/JGA/MEA)