Thursday, October 19, 2006 No political color in Boston relief: mayor By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan and Danny B. Dangcalan
CADIZ CITY -- Mayor Salvador "Bading" Escalante Jr. denied Wednesday reports that the relief of Supt. Norberto Boston as police chief has anything to do with politics.
"Definitely, its not politically motivated and I can't question the motive of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in relieving Boston from his post. The PNP works in mysterious ways," he said.
Superintendent Joseph Martir took over Boston's post. This as Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) Director Rosendo Franco also relieved Silay City Police Chief Celestino Guara.
The attack on the Silay airport, which is still being constructed, was cited as a reason, it having "humiliated" the entire provincial police unit.
Superintendent Calixto Mabugat took the rein of command Wednesday. He formerly led the 612th Provincial Mobile Group.
Commendable
In defending Boston, Escalante said Boston's performance is commendable as the former police chief redeemed Cadiz's regional ranking from number 15 last year to number 2 in the 3rd quarter of this year. "So what else can I ask for? I am very, very satisfied with his performance. Very satisfied!" added the mayor.
He added that he has no other choice now but to support Supt. Joseph Martir, the newly appointed chief of police.
Escalante also asked all Cadiz City Police Office members not to get demoralized over the change of command and, instead, extend all-out support to Martir like what they did to Boston.
NOPPO Director Rosendo Franco said he needed Boston in the provincial headquarters at Barangay Camingawan, Bacolod City.
"I have plenty of plans to be implemented for the good of the province and Boston is one key person that could help me," added Franco, a senior superintendent.
One strike policy
Franco also justified the relief of Supt. Celestino Guara from his post as chief of the Silay City Police Office as being due to the police's "One Strike Policy."
The policy reportedly meant the relief of the chief of police in any locality or unit that is hit by the rebel New People's Army (NPA).
The New Bacolod (Silay) Airport, which is being constructed in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, was attacked by communist rebels last October 8.
Guarra was also moved to NOPPO headquarters and replaced by Supt. Calixto Mabugat Wednesday.
On his first hours as chief of the Silay police, Mabugat said he met with his police officers. He said it is very difficult to work as chief if one does not know his subordinates.
Mabugat vowed to prioritize the fight against the proliferation of drugs, accounting for the most wanted lists, and continue the programs of Guarra.
As the new chief, he promised to strengthen internal security operations so the attack on the Silay airport will not happen again.
He said he will start conducting follow-up investigations and obtain records and facts on the attack.
"The PMG mandate is mostly counter-insurgency while in the Silay PNP, it is law enforcement. I believe with my previous assignments, I can give justice to my new position," Mabugat said.
Mabugat headed the Task Force Ilahas for seven months while he was at the PMG. He was also former chief of Hinigaran Police and Bacolod Police Precinct 1.
He is appealing to Silay City residents to extend the same support they had given to Guara, and to cooperate with whatever innovation he will implement in the Silay Police Office.
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