Osmeña quizzed on cop support

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City’s Police Advisory Council (PAC) is asking Mayor Tomas Osmeña for a status report of the logistical and financial support of the city government to policemen assigned in the city.

In a resolution, City Councilor  Joel Garganera, chairman of PAC, said the support is vital in maintaining peace and order in the city.

“To request the Cebu City government for a status report pertaining to the logistical support provided by the Cebu City Government to the Cebu City Police Office, but was recalled and returned to the General Services Office,” read the PAC resolution. Copies of the resolution were furnished to the office of Osmeña, City Council and the Police Regional Office-7.

The PAC was referring to the 19 vehicles and 76 units of firearms issued to the Cebu City Police Office as well as three units of petroleum oil lubricants allocation and allowance for 321 CCPO personnel.

Osmeña ordered for the recall of all city-owned police cars and city-issued firearms to policemen in July last year.

It can be recalled that Osmeña did not have a “good relationship” with the newly assigned police officers in the city, province and region after the major revamp affecting his “chosen” officials in the police organizations.

Garganera said the city government should return the vehicles and firearms to the police.

Osmeña said he will refer the matter to City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters.

“None of the firearms are licensed,” he told reporters.

GSO head Ronald Malacora earlier said anyone cannot use the firearms yet since their licenses have expired over a year ago.   He said the city’s 254 assorted firearms including those returned by the police have been given to CCPO as custodian of the city’s properties.

The city-issued vehicles to CCPO, on the other hand, are under the Cebu City Transportation Office custody.

But according to Garganera, 15 of these vehicles have been turned over to the city’s different barangays.

For now, Osmeña said he will focus more on addressing the city’s worsening traffic problem. (FREEMAN)