JUST because Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma was not his choice, the “former political has-been” described her as the “worst” police chief Cebu City has ever had in his 30 years as the local chief executive. The “former political has-been” made this remark as he gave the police an ultimatum of 10 days to solve the strafing incidents in the residences of the barangay captains of Sinsin and Sudlon 2 last week.
He said that if the police cannot solve it, he will accuse them of being behind the strafing. Is he crazy? What is his proof? He just jumped to conclusions, blaming the police without presenting any evidence. But Garma has the guts and courage to react. Garma said how can the police investigate the incident under pressure? Even before the police can start the investigation, they were already pre-judged by the person who ordered the investigation. Correct ka, Maam.
I salute Garma’s courage to answer the mayor and air her thoughts on the matter. At least, she has “balls.” That only shows that she is not a “yes man” like those previous chiefs of police who have “utang na loob” (act of gratitude) to the local chief executive. She is not under the “mercy” of the “former political has-been.”
From being the regional officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7, Garma was installed as city director replacing Joel Doria last year without the concurrence and approval of the local chief executive. Had the “former political has-been” been consulted, he would not have accepted Garma. Under the Philippine National Police (PNP) setup, the PNP hierarchy will submit at least five names to the local chief executive (city and province) for the latter to choose and appoint to be his city/provincial director.
If the local chief executive will appoint the city director, for sure, the latter will have an “utang na loob” to the appointing authority. But in Garma’s case, she was installed by the PNP hierarchy without the concurrence of the mayor. That is why Garma can act on her own without thinking of “payback.” Where can you find a police chief who charged the mayor at the Office of the Ombudsman for the latter’s intervention in the butane canister case? The mayor intervened in the arrest of three persons who were arrested by the police for refilling butane canisters. He ordered the police to release the suspects who were later identified as workers in his illegal butane refilling business.
The “former political has-been” can no longer apply his old antics like threatening of suspending the policemen’s allowances and withdrawing the logistical support of the City Government from the police every time he does not like the city director. He had been stripped of his supervision and control of the police by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) when he did not accept Doria. It was only restored when he went to Davao City and apologized personally to President Duterte.
He described Garma as the “worst” chief of police because he can no longer use the police to his political advantage during this election season, unlike before. In the previous elections, he used the city’s police force to harass his political opponents, especially in the mountain barangays. Because the city director then was under his mercy. But now it’s a different ballgame, and the situation is no longer favorable to him. That is why he is acting like a “crybaby.”
He threatened to report the matter to President Duterte that the city’s police is engaging in partisan politics. Okay, it is his call. Let us see if the President will listen to him. Basin moingon pa ang Presidente, “Paghilum diha, Tomas. Tamparuson ta hinoon ka ron.” Pagkatoytoy!