BEFORE it gets any form of financial incentives from the Provincial Government, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) must prove its competence first, said Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.
"I do not wish that they will perform because of the incentive. Patan-awa usa ko og gilas, pakitaa usa ko og lihok nga maski way (Show me your competence first, show me that you will perform regardless of any) incentive. I'd like to see that first," Garcia told reporters at the Provincial Capitol.
In December 2018, some 279 police officers of the CPPO received cash rewards from the province for their successful operations against illegal drugs from January 2017 to October last year.
The cash rewards were given to police officers of 17 police stations under the CPPO and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency through Operation Lawmen, a reward and incentives program for law enforcers or members of anti-illegal drug units, which is mandated by Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
At that time, then governor and now Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III said police officers deserve to be given rewards and incentives, especially if their operations involve a lot of risks.
But under her administration, Garcia said police officers of the CPPO must prove first that they are "serious" about their jobs with or without any form of reward from the Province.
The governor said she had a "bittersweet" feeling upon arriving at the CPPO headquarters in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
She recalled her experience with then Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo with whom she was at odds.
"Of course, mahinumdom ko sa nangagi. Ako gani nakapabutang gyud nianang police building diha sa CPPO kay provincial property man na ug sa akong tanang suporta sa police... Only to have that relationship turn sour and bitter sa dihang gisuspenso ko unya ang narco general, gipada ang mga police diri aron himuon ni og murag garrison state na hapit (Of course, I can't help but remember the past. Even as I ordered the construction of the CPPO building during my earlier stint, since it is on a Provincial property, and after all the support I gave to the police... Only to have that relationship turn sour and bitter when I was suspended and the narco general sent police officers to the Capitol, almost turning it into a garrison-like state)," Garcia said.
Garcia was suspended by the Office of the President on December 17, 2012 for grave abuse of authority for allegedly bypassing the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. and the provincial council in hiring contractual employees.
She was serving the remaining months of her third and last term as governor when the suspension was handed down.
Garbo played an active role in trying to evict Garcia from the Office of the Governor.
Garcia, though, sees a "chance at redemption" for her relationship with the police.
She expressed her gratitude to them for helping keep the participants and spectators of the recently concluded Pasigarbo sa Sugbo safe. There were also no reported incidents when the event took place at the Cebu City Sports Center last Aug. 25. (RTF)