THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday, April 24, that they will look into Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro’s alleged withdrawal of support for the city police.
“I will have this investigated and require the mayor to explain his actions. If it is true, what he has done would have serious implications in the peace and order functions of our police officers in Marikina City,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
If proven true, Año said Teodoro may be stripped of police powers.
On Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde slammed a mayor “in the eastern portion of Metro Manila” for withholding support to the police after he was not consulted on the appointment of a new police chief in his city.
He said the mayor was “childish and unprofessional.”
Albayalde refused to identify the mayor, but National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar later named Teodoro.
Marikina police officer-in-charge Colonel Redrico Maranan confirmed Albayalde's statement that Teodoro has removed their gas allowance and other logistical support.
The police have also been barred from attending the flag raising ceremony every Monday.
"Siyempre he will deny it but it can be validated to the ground 'yung mga tao alam nila ang nangyayari," he said.
(Of course, he will deny it. But the people know what is happening.)
Maranan said they will continue to carry out their mandate despite the lack of support from the city government.
Teodoro has denied the allegations against him, but admitted that he was not “notified” by the change in police leadership in his area.
He noted of the Republic Act 7160 and the DILG Act (Republic Act 6975) which require the PNP to notify the mayor on the appointment of police chief in their area as he has operational supervision and control of PNP units within his jurisdiction.
"I have no qualms in facing any inquiry on this matter, as I am confident that all I have done is in accordance with law. Which I cannot say the same for the PNP, which I must caution, should look into their processes in the designation and transfer of OICs, especially with the strict requirements of the law in that regard, and the election ban in effect," said Teodoro.
Meantime, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said changes in police leadership in cities and provinces, especially during the election period, are done in the exigency of the service.
He said in order to avoid a leadership vacuum, the PNP may designate a temporary chief of police (COP) in order not to disrupt the services of the PNP in a particular local government unit.
“RA 6975 does not require the concurrence of the local chief executive in placing a COP in an acting capacity. As deputized representatives of the Napolcom in their territorial jurisdictions, local chief executives must adhere to policy decisions of the Commission it deems exigent,” he said.
“May we remind all local chief executives that when benefits and allowances for the police in their area of jurisdiction are embodied in the appropriate appropriation ordinances, they are left with no discretion but to implement it. Disbursing these benefits becomes a ministerial duty for them,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)