Gaquing to meet Gungob on pullout of policemen

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Police Director Jesus Gaquing will meet with Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob when the latter arrives from South Korea to personally request the mayor to call off his plan to drive the town’s policemen out of the police station.

“Muhangyo ko niya nga dili ihinayon ang pagpahawa. Muadto ko niya, magpaubos ko niya nga dili ihinayon. Magpakita ko nga ang interest nako mao ra ang public service and safety sa katawhan,” Gaquing said.

Gungob became furious when his two police escorts, PO3 Sherwin Leyson and PO3 Joehrahmie Espinosa, were transferred to the Provincial Mobile Group and threatened to replace the town’s policemen with barangay tanods. 

As reported, the Mayor requested his town policemen to vacate the police station situated in the first floor of the municipal building and be replaced with barangay tanods, cut off their electricity, and gasoline purchase if they will not return his escorts.

Leyson and Espinosa were relieved from their posts as Gungob’s escorts following a complaint filed against them by the town’s residents before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Gaquing said he did not regret relieving the two policemen, but he had to apologize to Gungob for informing him of the relief only through a letter faxed to his office. Gaquing said he cannot assign Leyson and Espinosa back as Gungob’s escorts until the complaint against them remains unresolved.

Gaquing said Police Regional Office Director Lani-o Nerez personally verified from Leyson and Espinosa the reports that they sought Gungob’s help for them to be retained as the mayor’s escorts. The two, however, denied the reports.

Nerez himself said Gungob cannot have the police vacate the police station situated on the first floor of the municipal building because it is a public edifice.

“We should understand that it is PNP’s mandate to serve and protect. We cannot just pull out police anywhere, labi na if ang order wala’y legal basis,” Nerez said earlier.

No less than the Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Pedro Noval said Gungob cannot dismiss policemen assigned in his town and have them replaced by barangay tanods. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)