Osmeña not comfortable with cops in his abode

The plan of Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma to detail policemen at the residence of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in Barangay Guadalupe does not sit well with the city's chief executive.

In his press conference yesterday, the mayor believed that detailing police officers at his residence does not mean to “secure” him, but to conduct “surveillance” against him.

“The pattern is this – I will just cite one case (Tejero Councilman Jessielou) Cadungog. He was under arm surveillance. And then the general says he ambushed the policemen. That to me is a sign of fabrication of the general himself,” the mayor told reporters.

Earlier this week, Garma revealed her plans to detail police officers to secure the mayor, if the mayor will ask since he has divulged that he received a death threat.

Osmeña, however, said he does not need more security for his safety even with the threats that he is receiving.

“Why was Cadungog under armed surveillance? Now, I'm under armed surveillance. So when an armed policeman will come to me, what will I say? ‘Excuse me, why are you here? Are you here to ambush me? But if I shoot you back, I will be accused of ambushing you?'” the mayor said.

Last week, Cadungog's camp believed slain PO3 Eugene Calumba and police asset Michael Banua were out to ambush him. But, Cadungog's body guard, William Macaslang, was able to shoot Calumba.

The police, however, said Calumba and Banua were conducting surveillance in Barangay Tejero.

Osmeña said there are many pronouncements of the police that he cannot trust.

Normally, the mayor said police who are conducting surveillance should maintain a distance and not try to tailgate or overtake the vehicle that is subject of the surveillance.

“Surveillance is…‘okay, you go there and I'll just follow you.' And you don't have to arm them with a spare magazine pa,” Osmeña said.

“These are the things why I don't trust what's happening because I don't like their explanations. It insults my intelligence and it insults the intelligence of Cebuanos as well. What kind of story is that? Come up with something more credible,” he added.

With this, Osmeña said he will ask for a copy of the autopsy report of Calumba, saying he is allowed to investigate what's going on in Cebu City.

The mayor said he wants to know where are the gunshot wounds of Calumba to know whether or not the slain cop has pulled out his gun.

Also, Osmeña asked Garma to produce the license of Banua who was carrying a gun during the supposed surveillance.

“He (Banua) was carrying a gun. He was carrying a gun and he has a spare magazine. That's pretty heavy for surveillance…because I suspect he's really a gun man. So, produce his permit to carry,” the mayor said.

Even with his apprehensions against the police, Osmeña said he is giving Garma a chance to resolve the killings.

The mayor said the police organization has to earn the trust of the people.