ILOILO City Mayor Jerry Treñas has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the city under its control after his four children were allegedly harassed by his political rival’s bodyguard.
Treñas wrote Comelec Chairman Jose Melo and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Versoza on Tuesday detailing the alleged inaction of some personnel of the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) on the complaints of his four children.
The mayor alleged that Police Officer 1 Ronnie Refugio harassed his sons -- Raisa, Miguel and minors Jerry Jr. and Paolo -- while giving donations to fire victims at Barangay Nabitasan in La Paz district on Monday.
Paolo, the youngest of the four siblings, was traumatized, Treñas said.
Refugio, the mayor said, is a bodyguard of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. whom Treñas had a political falling out with.
Treñas is seeking the city’s congressional seat against Gonzalez son, Raul Jr. The older Gonzalez, on the other hand, is seeking the city’s mayoral post.
Treñas asked the Comelec to revamp the entire Icpo and relieve its seven district commanders to prevent them from siding with his political rival.
Gonzalez has been supportive of the city police during his stint as congressman, and as Justice Secretary.
“I am very disappointed with the performance of the city police and I am not asking for a special favor but for the policemen to act professionally. But their recent actions showed otherwise,” Treñas told reporters on Tuesday.
“The Icpo policemen cannot assure safety of our children and the police performance is bellow par. I challenge them to do something about a member of the police force,” he added.
Treñas said he was informed that a patrol car of La Paz police station was at the vicinity of Nabitasan village when the incident took place but the policemen onboard did not arrest Refugio who allegedly armed while in civilian clothes.
Criminal and administrative charges are being readied against Refugio, Treñas said.