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Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Loot, guv’s choice, named officer-in-charge of CPPO
By Mia E. Abellana Sun.Star Staff Reporter
With Minerva B. Gerodias
It looks like Gov. Gwen-dolyn Garcia got her wish.
Senior Supt. Maximo Calimlim received a verbal order from the regional police headquarters yesterday morning informing him of his reassignment to the Maritime Group (Marig) national office effective immediately.
Supt. Vicente Loot was assigned officer-in-charge of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) yesterday. Loot is Gov. Garcia’s choice for the post.
Garcia was earlier irked when the PNP told her that Senior Supt. Maximo Calimlim wanted the turnover at 2 a.m. today because he had appointments yesterday. She said the delay in Loot’s taking over the CPPO post has dragged on far too long.
“We can’t move on with our programs in so far as peace and order is concerned and there are many concerns about peace and order, security, which we must immediately address. We can’t move on where there is a feeling of instability to say the least,” Garcia said.
Garcia has always been open about her preference for Loot, husband of her political ally and Bantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.
Sources said Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez, wife of defeated gubernatorial candidate Celestino “Junie” Martinez, pressured PNP Chief Edgardo Aglipay not to appoint Loot.
This was reportedly the reason for the delay in Loot’s appointment.
In an interview with reporters, Calimlim said Regional Chief of Staff Lani-o Nerez called him up at 10 a.m. yesterday, informing him that his office received an order from Camp Crame’s Directorate for Personnel Resource Management relieving Calimlim from the CPPO.
Calimlim welcomed the order, saying the position, deputy director for Marig, was a form of promotion on his part.
Last Monday, PNP Chief Edgardo Aglipay said Loot could not assume the top post at the CPPO until Calimlim had a position worthy of a star-ranked officer in Camp Crame.
Calimlim said the current Marig director, Chief Supt. Renor Gonzales, is expected to retire soon and that it was possible he could take the post and be promoted to the rank of chief superintendent.
Reporters noted that Calimlim began packing up his belongings.
Calimlim also dreams of returning to Cebu as regional director in the near future.
Whether a formal turnover ceremony takes place or not, Calimlim said it no longer matters.
Calimlim assumed as CPPO director last July 30, 2003.
Tour of duty
“Sayang at di umabot sa birthday ko (It would have been nice if it reached my birthday),” he said in jest. His birthday is in May yet.
Calimlim, though, has been CPPO director for more than two years, exceeding the regular tour of duty for the post.
He also has a few requests to his successor.
Calimlim hopes Loot will not make abrupt changes and will allow the personnel to prove themselves to him.
“When I arrived, I didn’t bring any men. If they didn’t perform well, that’s when I relieved them,” he said in Tagalog.
He added that since Loot is Gov. Garcia’s choice, he was assured of the full support of the Provincial Government.
Calimlim hopes Loot will work out with Gov. Garcia a permanent camp for the CPPO as the provincial headquarters sits on a lot owned by the Provincial Government.
He hopes Loot can find a way to have the lot donated to the PNP.
Practice
Calimlim is also requesting that Loot continue providing meals for the personnel assigned in the CPPO headquarters, a practice that he has done since he assumed office.
Calimlim did not say how he managed to come up with funds for the meals, but said he added personal funds to the budget appropriated for such purposes.
“Siguro may kaya naman siya. Sana ipatuloy niya dahil kawawa ang mga tao dito (I think he can afford it. I hope he continues what I did because the personnel here are less fortunate,” he said.
Upon learning of the order, several town police chiefs began arriving at the CPPO headquarters in Sudlon, Lahug Cebu City.
Aside from Calimlim, several other officers in the CPPO were given new assignments.
Suspension
Talisay City Police Chief, Sr. Supt. Pablo Lamosao, was moved to the Mandaue City Police Office while Supt. Rodel Calungsod will take over the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division as Supt. Cecil Ezra Sandalo serves his 45-day suspension from the National Police Commission.
Talisay City will be left in the care of officer-in-charge Insp. Ricardo Nayne.
Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) chief Paquito Belandres was also reassigned to Siquijor, where Calimlim believes he will hold the position of deputy director for the Siquijor Provincial Police Office (SPPO).
Sr. Insp. Julian Entoma, who has spent more than four years as chief of the Dalaguete Police Station, will take over the PMG.
Calimlim also said he will try to convince regional officers to assign his deputy, Senior Supt. Alberto Aguisanda, as provincial director of the SPPO since the current director is retiring. (MEA/MBG)
(March 2, 2005 issue)
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