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Thursday, January 29, 2004
Sandalo accepts transfer
By Garry Cabotaje/Minerva B. Gerodias/Linette C. Ramos
THE relief of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Chief Cecil Ezra Sandalo may take time because the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has to get a clearance from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Aside from the Comelec clearance, the PNP also has to get approval from Camp Crame’s senior officers’ placement and promotion board, said Senior Supt. Ronald Roderos, PRO 7 deputy director for operations.
The PNP has yet to receive Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s request for Sandalo’s replacement, but the police chief has accepted the move.
“I feel sad but I’m not surprised,” said Sandalo, who is facing an administrative investigation for allegedly covering up for a subordinate tagged in an extortion case.
Sandalo assumed office in May 2003.
The police chief revealed he met with Osmeña Tuesday night for about 45 minutes “to get instructions and to know his bearings.”
“The mayor felt that I cannot concentrate on my job because I might be affected by the case and I agree with him,” Sandalo said.
But when asked if he thinks his job will be affected by the administrative case, Sandalo said, “I don’t think so. I feel that I will be exonerated and even with the case, I can still go on with my job. The only additional burden on my part will be the schedules of the hearing that I have to attend.”
Start young
But as if to confirm he has made up his mind about replacing Sandalo, the mayor yesterday challenged young police officials to be courageous in accepting responsibilities.
The mayor said this after Supt. Pablo Labra II expressed his hesitation on becoming chief of the Cebu City Police Office during their conversation last Tuesday.
“Paul Labra is good except that he’s afraid to assume the responsibilities of police chief. And to me, if you’re afraid, ayaw na lang… (then, never mind). The next chief does not necessarily have to be younger. He just has to know the terrain, so in short, a Cebuano,” the mayor said.
He added that Labra, 34, is not included in the list of nominees he submitted to the Police Regional Office.
“I am still a very junior officer,” Labra said when sought for comment. Labra is a superintendent or lieutenant colonel.
For a highly urbanized city like Cebu, PNP rules state that the police director should have at least a rank of senior superintendent or full colonel.
“Aside from that, Labra is also very junior. There are other senior officers who have the same rank as Labra but have been in the service longer. If Labra will be appointed as the city director, it will create a morale problem. That will also be taken into consideration by the Senior Officers Promotion and Placement Board,” Roderos explained.
On vacation
Once PRO 7 Chief Rolando Garcia arrives from Manila, the regional office will process requirements for Sandalo’s transfer.
Sandalo plans to go on a one-month vacation after he is relieved and said he will enjoy life in his hometown in Badian, Cebu.
“I deserve it because I need a break,” he said.
When asked what he thought of as his biggest accomplishment during his nine-month stint, he cited the prevention of crimes and the peaceful celebrations of All Souls’ Day, Christmas and Sinulog.
During Sandalo’s stint, the police neutralized drug suspect Roberto “Obet” Hegremosa, the suspected explosives supplier Antonio Reyes and recently arrested Jong Keon Lee, who was accused of raping several young Cebuanas.
But Sandalo and former Vice Control Section chief Marvin Sanchez are being investigated for their alleged intervention, after the arrest of PO3 Paquito Monterroyo by the National Bureau of Investigation.
Monterroyo was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a Muslim trader, a charge he has denied.
(January 29, 2004 issue)
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