Tuesday, October 31, 2006 Chief ready to march out of police office
ALTHOUGH his reported relief order came as shocking news for him, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Chief Pedro Merced is left with no other choice but to accept whatever fate awaits him in the next few days.
Merced, who has been BCPO chief for only a year, is reportedly up for relief anytime this month.
“I have no choice but to accept the decision of the Police Higher Command, whatever it is,” Merced said in a telephone interview.
He, however, said that for now he is not entertaining this report and is instead focusing his attention on his job.
“Anytime, I am ready to march out of BCPO. But since there’s no order yet, I think, I need to focus myself in performing my duties and responsibilities,” he added.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, on the other hand, refused to comment on this report, dismissing it as just “reports.”
Asked for his rating on Merced’s performance, the mayor simply replied: “Just passing a grade.”
As to speculations that Merced’s relief is politically motivated, for being tagged as the “pet” of Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Ricardo “Cano” Tan and former BCPO director Vicente Ponteras, Leonardia again refused to give his categorical answer.
But refuted reports that Tan has endorsed Merced last year.
“It’s only Ponteras who endorsed Merced and not Tan,” the mayor said.
Both Tan and Ponteras are said to be running against Leonardia in next year’s election. (EASD)
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