New police force

As they say, it was bound to happen. That’s why, I wasn’t surprised when I read the news that 65 police officers, including two officials, in Talisay City were relieved of their posts because of allegations that some of them are involved in the illegal drug trade.

After all, it was President Rodrigo Duterte who announced recently that majority of policemen assigned in the city have been compromised.

Yet despite all the writings on the wall, so to speak, Vice Mayor Alan Bucao still didn’t see the development coming.

“Personally, I was caught flat-footed. If I had my way, it would have been better to retain some senior police officers to guide the younger ones,” he told SunStar Cebu’s Justin K. Vestil.

Bucao must have been referring to Insps. Rene Cerna and Ronaldo Logrono, who both served as deputy police chiefs but now have been reassigned to the PRO 7 where they will undergo a 15-day moral recovery program and a four-month enhanced basic internal security operations course.

Supt. Marlu Conag, the city police chief, got to keep his post even though the illegal drug problem in the city, particularly in Barangay Tangke, continued to be rampant under his watch.

But I understand his situation.

It has come to a point that whole communities defend drug personalities from police operations. And all because these drug personalities share their drug proceeds with whoever needs their assistance and as a result have gained the sympathy and loyalty of neighbors. They have become de facto “Robin Hoods.”

Which would explain why Conag’s men were harassed when they conducted drug busts or served warrants.

These drug personalities reportedly don’t even leave their houses, as they have resorted to using children as drug couriers. They’ve also gotten the trisikad drivers on board with the latter alerting them of incoming policemen. No wonder Talisay’s drug problem is rampant. Then I just learned that Mayor Eduardo Gullas was also surprised by the relief of the city’s police force.

“I had requested that those scalawags, per investigation, would be taken out as they will only serve as a liability. I didn’t expect that he (PRO 7 Director Debold Sinas) would recall the entire force, including those whom I know are working hard,” the mayor told reporters yesterday.

I see Gullas’s point, although I can also see that he and his vice mayor are resigned to the fact that the matter is out of their hands.

What I don’t understand is why would Bucao say that he is worried that the relief would scare off potential investors?

I thought the city’s drug problem was good enough reason to stay away.