Rama deplores Gaerlan transfer

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama believes that politics is behind the "atrocious and vicious" process of changing and transferring the head of the Police Regional Office-7.

"There should be no changing anymore because we are in a campaign period. What is needed is stability, continuity. Now is there incapacity? Is there dismissal?" Rama said.

PRO-7 recently received an order from Camp Crame assigning Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr. as the new acting director of PRO-7, replacing Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan who will be transferred to PRO in Davao.

Rama described the reassignment as "detestable, appalling and scandalous."

"Baring all of these, it will leave a bad taste. That's why they have always been talking about daang matuwid.  I mean this is a demonstration of daang matuwad," he said.

He, however, said writing to Philippine National Police on his concern is no longer an option.

"You know, what could be the use of my writing when I can see hands already being moving. And these all about no matter what, politics. Tell me what Gaerlan have done that he should be removed," Rama said.

Rama recalled several instances in his stint as mayor when heads of police offices were reassigned like former PRO-7 director, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas, former Cebu City Police Office directors Ramon Melvin Buenafe, Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, and Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, among others.

"These is all while I am the mayor and, of course, no matter what, talking about regional coverage and I have nothing against Comendador. The process is just atrocious, much less vicious," Rama said.

Rama said a new police chief requires adjustment each time.

"But I wish Comendador will live up to the name Comendador. Because the Comendador that I remembered before is also a fighter. I remember we also had a chance to be together. It's just so happened that when I assumed, I opted to have somebody that really can put hold of the PNP of City of Cebu," he said.

Comendador was once the director of CCPO, became director of Cebu Provincial Police Office, and was later designated as head of PRO-7 before he was transferred to National Capital Region Police Office in 2013.

"When you talk about political party, I am not only running as mayor, not only running under UNA (United Nationalist Alliance), I am also the vice president for the Visayas of UNA. Hence, what plans do they have that there is such a need for a new regional director?" Rama said.

"Who have and who will be more beneficial of the movement is the one. And whoever are the local who are involved. I just cannot divulge because publicly I knew who and it is still about politics," he added.

Comendador was designated as the officer-in-charge of PRO-7 effective last Friday. There will be an official turnover today.  (FREEMAN)