Friday, November 30, 2007 Cebu leaders urge sobriety
CENTRAL Visayas and the rest of the country were placed on full alert following the attempt of some rebel soldiers to stage a coup in Makati City yesterday.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos told reporters that they will follow the chain of command and take orders only from PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr.
He said he immediately upgraded the alert status from normal to full alert and disseminated the information by text, cellular phone, fax and landline to all territorial units.
Roderos said they remained apolitical and neutral and that they were loyal to the “duly constituted authority.”
“Your PRO 7 police personnel are all accounted for,” he said, adding that he already talked to all city and provincial directors under his jurisdiction.
“We will proceed with our normal police functions and activities,” he said.
Field commanders will continue to monitor the situation in Manila.
Roderos said they have not received reports of sympathizers of the Magdalo group among their ranks.
He added that during the Oakwood mutiny in 2003, there was not “a single police officer” who joined in the mutiny.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is confident that despite the crisis in Manila, Cebu will remain peaceful.
She also hopes that those who led the rebel soldiers will be enlightened.
“This is again another example of political bickering and other turmoil that usually happen in Manila but which will not in any way affect us. Over here in Cebu, we concentrate on the things that matter to the Cebuanos, and that is doing what needs to be done. We will not allow any adventurism of any group to have any negative impact on Cebu,” she said.
Garcia further said that she has great faith in the military and police here in Region 7 as they are professional men in uniform who recognize duly constituted authorities.
“As Filipinos, of course we are just as concerned with our brothers and sisters over there in Metro Manila, we’ll pray to the Sto. Niño that his guiding light may also beam upon those who need guidance,” she said.
Rep. Benhur Salim-bangon (Cebu, 4th district) called for sobriety.
He said the people should pray that the crisis will be resolved peacefully.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña shared the governor’s sentiment.
“Bahala na ng manila. Never mind what goes on there. Let them handle their problems and we will just take care of our own,” he said.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, in a text message via cell phone, said that he is glad the coup was short-lived.
“It just goes to show that Trillanes is really a coward with not an element of courage or bravery worth remembering in our country’s history. They said they were ready for the worst but when the tear gas came, surrender time. They’re all the same. First Honasan, now Trillanes,” he said.
“He (Trillanes) will be remembered as one who had needlessly endangered innocent lives and ruined our nation’s image too many times,” Jakosalem also said. (MEA/MGB/With LCR)
