Osmeña: Killings increased when Garma, Sinas came

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña described his relationship with the police authorities as “not so good” due to the series of killings happened in the city right now.

Yesterday, in an interview with Rappler which was streamed online, he admitted that when the newly installed Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma and Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas assumed their respective posts, the number of killings started to rise.

“Yes, absolutely yes.  I don’t know but it definitely started when they came in the picture,” Osmeña said.

Last July 1, Garma officially assumed office as the new CCPO director, replacing Sr. Supt. Joel Doria, whose two-year stint ended. While Sinas replaced Chief Supt. Robert Quenery last June.

The mayor said when these two top police officials began serving the city as far as peace and order is concerned, he sees them as part of the problem.

“In the past good. Now, not so good (relationship). I look at them as part of the problem, not the solution. They themselves are the suspects,” Osmeña said.

Even though he could not state directly, he thinks that police are allegedly involved in the recent spate of killings.

“Yes I believe so, well because they were shot by themselves. And this is very unusual for Cebu. I don’t like what’s happening. I am very upset, I am very disturbed,” Osmeña said.

However, Sinas prefers not to comment. The FREEMAN tried to get the side of Garma but was not available as of press time.

When asked whether or not he wants Garma to be ousted from post, he said, “Just give her a chance because why not? But of course I have reservations.” — GAN (FREEMAN)