Pullout of Tomas’ 3 police escorts worries Margot

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña  is worried about the security of her husband, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, after the pullout of his three police escorts by the National Police Commission.

But Margot said they are not making issue out of Napolcom’s move and that they are not hiring private security personnel for her husband.

“That’s fine. It’s not part of our life anyway. Our ordinary life. It’s because he’s mayor. And he was not mayor for six years. It’s not a decoration that they took away,” she said, adding that her husband can drive his car on his own.

She said many of their friends are saying they will assign their security personnel to the mayor and that several people are volunteering to guard him.

The councilor said she is concerned about the security of her husband amid the threats even before he assumed office in June.

“Of course, as a wife you think about that but it does not control our life,” she said.

Margot admitted she felt bad after Tomas’ three police escorts, including SPO1 Adonis Dumpit, were relieved and transferred to the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

“And then yung parang gilabay nalang sila sa Bohol. Why? Because they were connected to Tommy? Luoy man sad. Not only Adonis, gilabay sa Bohol, what’s that punishment?” she said.

“They were assigned to Tommy because I guess we knew them na eh. In the past, they were also assigned before to Tommy,” she added.

Margot said she does not know the reason behind the relief of the three police escorts of the mayor, asking if it was a punishment for her husband.

“Look at cancer in the face, as of now, who won? You can face anybody if you face cancer, right?” she said.

As to the health of the mayor, Margot said it is getting better each year. From an annual checkup, Margot said Tomas is now asked to submit himself for checkup in the United States every 18 months.

“Aside from the cancer is concerned, wala g’yod. She even said that he wouldn’t have to come anymore every year. She said every 18 months would be very good. It’s a year and a half. It’s a big improvement,” Margot said.

Tomas opted not to hold a press conference yesterday, saying he was having jetlag from the trip last weekend.

It was earlier reported that his doctor has certified him as cancer-free after over seven years of being diagnosed with stage IV urinary bladder cancer.

Margot said she’s happy that the health of her husband is getting better each year.

“We’re now on our seventh going to our eighth year. So, it’s good. It’s very good,” she said.

Margot said the improvement is really ‘comforting’ for her part knowing that everything about the health of her husband must be good that they are only asked to undergo checkup every 18 months. (FREEMAN)