Iligan mayor withdraws support for local police

ILIGAN CITY – The local government unit here, led by Mayor Celso G. Regencia, has withdrawn its support for the local Philippine National Police (PNP), following the sudden transfer of City Police Director Sr. Supt. Manuel Sukarno Alvarez last October 31.

To immediately show the withdrawal of support, Regencia has ordered all patrol cars “entrusted” by the city government to the Iligan City police force be returned to city hall, according to Councilor Ian Uy, city council committee chair for peace, order and public safety.

“Pinahiram lang ng city government (It was just lent by the city government),” Uy said.

“Dahil pinalitan ang CD (City Director) natin without informing the mayor na papalitan na siya (It was because our CD was replaced without informing the mayor about the change),” he added.

Aside from the patrol cars, city hall has also withdrawn its support in providing gasoline to the local police.

“Agig protesta sa gihimo sa kauluhan sa kapolisan nga ang atong hepe sa kapolisan gitangtang nga wala may pananghid sa atong mayor (We give our full support to the police but PNP leadership from the region to the higher ups have not respected our mayor),” Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz said in an interview.

He noted that, in just over two months as Iligan City police chief, Alvarez had given an “exemplary performance in gaining trust for our police force by the local government and local populace.”

Vera Cruz also dashed speculations that Regencia had been taking advantage of the police to advance his political ambition and get re-elected in his post.

“We will take responsibility over what will be the implications of our actions of withdrawing our support to the police,” he said.

Iligan City Police Office spokesman Chief Insp. Jovane R. Cabusas, said the withdrawal of the patrol cars have not affected police operations.

“Sa amin hindi gaano naka-apekto iyan, kasi we will maximize our resources dahil ito iyong mandate to serve and protect,” Cabusas said.