3 Pampanga cop chiefs replaced

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Is Malacañang laying down the groundwork for the 2004 elections for President Arroyo and her eldest son, Pampanga Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo, by filling up the police force of this presidential home-province with its choices?

This speculation was spawned by the sudden replacement of the police chiefs of this capital city and the towns of Mabalacat and Candaba.

"I was totally caught by surprise when I heard last Monday that my city had a new police chief," this city’s mayor, Reynaldo Aquino, told The STAR.

Aquino said he and Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, president of the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML), have agreed to endorse to PML members the passage of a resolution protesting such appointments.

Senior Superintendent Sonny Magpayo replaced Superintendent Sonny Cunanan as San Fernando police chief. In Mabalacat, Superintendent Silvestre Primero was named in place of Superintendent Keith Singian, and in Candaba, a certain Chief Inspector Flores succeeded Chief Inspector Elvis Diaz.

There are reports that Senior Superintendent Angelito Pacia, police chief of Angeles City, would also be replaced.

Magpayo is the chief security aide of Mikey, who will reportedly run for either congressman or governor in 2004.

Senior Superidentent Rodolfo Mendoza, Pampanga police director, said he merely exercised his prerogative to appoint officers-in-charge (OICs) in San Fernando, Mabalacat and Candaba for various reasons.

President Arroyo herself appointed Mendoza to his post despite initial protest from Gov. Lito Lapid.

"I would have blundered had I formally appointed police chiefs not merely as OICs without (the mayors’) consent," he said, citing the law granting local chief executives the right to choose their respective police chiefs from among three recommendees from the provincial police.

"I appointed OICs, not official police chiefs, so I did not violate the prerogatives of the mayors," Mendoza said.

Mendoza belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class 1979, of which Mrs. Arroyo is an honorary member.

Candaba Mayor Normita Evangelista also expressed surprise over the replacement of her town’s police chief, saying she has yet to meet the new guy.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Calderon, Central Luzon police director, said the replacements were entirely the decision of Mendoza.

Mendoza, however, claimed that Calderon had cleared the appointment of the new Candaba police chief.

Both Calderon and Mendoza denied allegations that Mikey had intervened in the new appointments. Mikey could not be reached for comment yesterday.