Espenido stays put in Ozamiz
In the end, the seniority rule prevailed as the leadership of the Philippine National Police withheld the transfer of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido from Ozamiz City where he is currently the police chief to Iloilo City because of qualification issues.
The cancellation of Espenido’s transfer to Iloilo was confirmed by Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, director of the Western Visayas regional police.
“It is confirmed and already implemented based on the order that we received from National Headquarters (NHQ, Camp Crame),” said Binag in a radio interview.
Instead of Espenido, Senior Supt. Henry Binas, the director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office will be the next chief of the Iloilo City police.
National Heroes Day after conferring on Espenido the Order of Lapu-Lapu Medal of Magalong for his exceptional contribution to the illegal drugs campaign of the government, President Duterte announced Espenido’s next assignment: Iloilo city – a place he described as a “bedrock” of shabu in the Visayas.
Espenido has earned the ‘narco-buster’ monicker after alleged untouchable drug lords – both mayors — in his turf were killed in anti-drug operations.
The designation of Espenido in Iloilo City was seen as a move against Mayor Jed Mabilog who was being linked to the illegal drugs trade. Mabilog consistently denied the drug allegations and even opened himself to a lifestyle check.
Precedent-setting Police sources told Manila Bulletin Espenido’s appointment would pose a problem since highly-urbanized cities like Iloilo require a police official with a rank of Senior Superintendent (equivalent to Colonel in the military). Espenido is a Chief Inspector (Major), which is two ranks lower than what the law requires for the position.
PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said they found a way to comply with the President’s order by designating Espenido as “acting” Iloilo City police chief.
But police sources said should this happen, Espenido’s authority would be limited based on the existing PNP rules, especially on the aspect of budget conOn trol and designation of his own men.
The same sources explained that if the PNP leadership insisted on the designation of Espenido, this would make a bad precedent and eventually cause demoralization.
“If this is pursued, nothing and no one would prevent any similar action in the future like designating for instance, a Senior Inspector (captain) or a Chief Inspector (major) from being appointed as Regional Director (a position which requires a onestar general),” one of the sources said.
It would have been different if Espenido had a rank of Superintendent who would be promoted to Senior Superintendent.
Even the appointment of the chief PNP, the source added is governed by rules. Dela Rosa was a chief superintendent when he was appointed chief PNP last year.
Wish granted Following the announcement of Espenido’s new assignment, the residents of Ozamiz began to fear against possible reprisal from Parojinog supporters after the death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and 13 others during a drug bust last month. They appealed to the President to let Espenido stay in Ozamiz until such time the drug problem and other crimes are addressed. (With a report from Tara Yap)