Talisay Police chief accepts vice-mayor's polygraph dare

Talisay City Police acting chief Audie Villacin yesterday accepted the challenge of Vice Mayor Aberdovey Belleza to submit himself to a lie detector test and disprove allegations of inefficiency and anomalies in his job.

Villacin's acceptance came while Provincial Police director Sr/Supt. Vicente Loot requested the vice mayor to substantiate his allegations against the city police chief, who would otherwise be retained in his post.

Loot added that even if Villacin will personally ask for his relief, such could not be done without conducting any investigation to ascertain the allegations. "The result of the investigation will be the basis," he said.

Loot, emerging from a meeting with Belleza yesterday, said he wanted to get the testimony of the vice mayor's source so he could start the investigation against Villacin. The accusations of Belleza may be upgraded to a formal complaint later, he added.

Villacin, for his part, said he would sue Belleza for those allegations made in a privilege speech at the council session last Thursday, as those could be considered "libelous."

Belleza, in his privilege speech, assailed Villacin's alleged "inefficiency" as police chief while allegedly protecting illegal businesses in the city.

Councilor Allan Bucao earlier requested Villacin to answer the accusations leveled against him and last session could have been his chance to appear at the council and air his side of the issue. But Villacin declined saying he already had prior appointment with Loot.

Belleza's speech outlined Villacin's over six-month stint of "serious contradictions" as police chief, then enumerated the latter's alleged involvement in drug deals, shares from extorted money, among others.

Belleza had reportedly distributed letters accusing Villacin of protecting drug dealers, but Loot said he has yet to receive a copy but added that such could be considered poison letters unless substantiated.

Villacin yesterday denied to reporters all the allegations hurled by Belleza, but the council had earlier approved a resolution requesting his relief from the top police post in the city.

The resolution described Villacin's "inefficient" six-month performance but Mayor Socrates Fernandez wrote Loot's office requesting Villacin's retention instead.

Loot did not act on the council resolution but relieved instead some intelligence personnel of the City Police, saying he received reports that some of them have not been cooperating with Villacin in the anti-illegal drug campaign, particularly in barangay Tangke.

With reports that drug dealers have been having their heydays with some policemen in the area, Loot sent some personnel of the provincial Special Operations Group to Talisay and assist Villacin in busting these illegal drug operations.

Loot had previously recommended the retention of Villacin as Talisay chief citing good performance. He said it is now Villacin's challenge to show his capability to lead the policemen and solve the drug problem in the city. - Gregg M. Rubio and Liv G. Campo