San Pedro police chief’s relief doesn’t affect cops’ morale

DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director Ronald dela Rosa said the decision of City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to relieve San Pedro Police Station chief Antonio Rivera, will not affect the morale of the policemen in the city.

Dela Rosa said it is the right of the mayor to decide and choose who she wants to lead in a particular area. He added that they respect Duterte's decision on the matter.

“I have to follow the mayor's orders right away. I talked to Rivera about the discretion of the mayor over what happened sa sunod-sunod na patay sa iyang area of responsibility, and without any questions gidawat man niya,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa added that it’s normal for policemen to come and go and be re-assigned to other responsibilities.

“It's part of our job, that is normal on our organization. Siguro sa part ni Superintendent Rivera... plastic ta kung muingon ta na wala ra sa iya ang nahitabo, naguol siya siyempre (it is pretentious to say he is not affected). I already explained to him, and gidawat niya ang maong order sa mayor (he accepted the mayor’s order),” Dela Rosa said.

Rivera said he has nothing against the mayor and her order to leave his present post as the chief of the San Pedro Police Station. He added that everything is part of their job, and that he really respects the decision of the mayor.

Duterte earlier ordered dela Rosa to relieve Rivera because he did not meet her expectations from a station head.

Rivera will be re-assigned as chief of the DCPO's Mobile Patrol Group effective on September 12.