POLICEMEN in Gingoog City police station have pledged their support to Superintendent Ariel Philip Pontillas after learning that the city mayor has allegedly requested to have him relieved from his post as police chief of the city.
Majority of the members of Gingoog City police station have signed a manifesto of support last week, a copy of which was posted on the police station's Facebook page.
“We are signing this manifesto of support in order for our chief of police to be retained in his current assignment as city chief of police of Gingoog and for the entire Gingoog City police station to be spared from undue influence and political partisanship in order for us to be able to function independently and effectively fight and prevent criminality and maintain peace and order of our beloved city,” the manifesto reads.
Pontillas said his men initiated to sign a manifesto of support after learning that Mayor Marie Guingona had allegedly requested for his relief.
“Naa man gud nadunggan namo nga nag-request si mayor nga ipa-relieve ko,” Pontillas said.
Pontillas said he is thankful to police regional director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb for the trust and confidence towards his leadership as commander of Gingoog city police.
“Nagpasalamat ko kang RD (regional director) sa trust and confidence ug ang pagpili sa chief is based on performance,” Pontilas said.
“Ako pud naningkamot pud ko sa pagtrabaho nga walay influence sad sa politics,” he added.
Pontillas said he also wondered why the local chief executive wanted him relieved in spite of his accomplishments to reduce the crime volume in the city.
He said the Gingoog City police has been able to receive various awards as Best Component City police station for operational and administrative accomplishment and Best Component City police station for police community relations under his leadership.
But, Pontillas was surprised why the city's top official questioned his awards during the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting recently.
“After nako pag present sa peace and order situation nga niubos ang crime volume, nag expect ko nga pangutan-on ko ngano naa pa gihapon krimen pero ang ilang gi-question is nganong naka-award ko,” Pontillas said.
But despite the challenges, Pontillas said he will continue to motivate his men to work harder to curb criminality in the city.
He also said the city police would also continue to obey and support the programs of the local government as long as “they were right and legal.”
“Nagpasalamat ko sa support sa akong mga tawo ug despite sa limited resources napakita man pud namo nga nagtrabaho mi gani with 'flying colors' pa ug despite sa challenges sa hepe nila ug sa local chief executive wala na nahimong hindrance sa atong mga tawo para motrabaho,” Pontillas said.