Cops seek Labella’s help over lot

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is asking Mayor-elect Edgardo Labella to approve the construction of Inayawan Police Station.

CCPO Director Royina Garma, in an interview, said she will discuss the P5-million project with Labella.

“We will lobby to the local government unit, hoping that they will understand the importance of constructing a police station on that specific area,” Garma said.

The project has been halted for months following Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Repollo’s disapproval of the location, which is just stone’s throw away from the Barangay Hall.

The property was donated to the police in February 2017 by former village chief Lutherlee “Lotlot” Ignacio-Soon.

Repollo wanted the police to use another lot, citing possible traffic problems that may arise in the area once the station will be operational.

The tension between the police and Repollo escalated when the latter ordered barangay workers to demolish the fence surrounding the construction site of the new police Station (Cebu City Police Station 7) on March 5.

The station was supposed to be finished last March or April.

Garma said CCPO can’t heed Repollo’s suggestion of relocating the station as it entails returning the budget to the Philippine National Police’s coffers.

“If di ma-construct, the budget will be returned to PNP. Then we will have to go back to step 1 as we have to process again the documents. It would take years,” she said.

She said CCPO will exert all efforts so the project would be realized soon.

“We will do everything we can to push through with the project. We will request the government and we hope it will not be denied,” she said.

She said CCPO has the legitimate deed of donation from the barangay.

But Repollo contended that the former officials of Barangay Inayawan failed to secure an authorization from the village council for Ignacio-Soon to sign a deed of donation for the lot in favor of the CCPO.

Repollo, in an earlier interview, clarified that he is not against the construction of the police station.

He, however, said the barangay was using the lot as a parking area for its vehicles, such as garbage trucks, a Kaohsiung bus, a coaster and minibus, among others. (FREEMAN)