Digal: No politics in recall of PNP escorts

CEBU, Philippines - There is nothing political about the pull out of the police escorts of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez as the PNP personnel have been recalled back to their units for the Annual General Inspection (AGI).

This, despite the insinuations of Sanchez, that his continuing quarrel with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia may have something to do with it.

Even the governor was not spared from the pull out of escorts explained Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal.

Sr. Supt. Digal said that the governor was however quick to request for escorts from the Police Security Protection Office (PSPO) after those assigned to her were recalled for a similar reason.

Digal told Sanchez that he can write a letter requesting for security personnel addressed to him so that he can forward it to the PSPO.

Four security personnel were assigned to Sanchez including one member of the elite Special Reaction Unit (SRU).

Digal, however, explained that he cannot detail another member of the special unit to Sanchez if the vice governor would request for escorts as such personnel of special units are not for security detail duties.

Sanchez told The FREEMAN that his police escorts were ordered to report to their respected units Thursday morning.

Although Sanchez did not directly say that the recall had something to do with politics, he said that “Dili nalang ta muingon niana, kay lainon na usab unya nila pagsulti, klaro man kayo.” (We don’t have to say it, but it is obvious.)

“Ngano man lagi nga ang gobernador daghan man kayo og polis nga escort?” (How come the governor has many police escorts?) Sanchez asked.

When informed that he can request for a new security detail, Sanchez said that he would not do so.

“Dili nalang ko mo request total wala man koy gikahadlokan, wala man koy gitago sa akong pagka tawo.” (I will not request since I am not afraid of anything and I am not hiding anything.)

The continuing verbal tussle between Sanchez and the governor has been extensively covered by the media since before the May elections.

   Also affected by the recall of police escorts are the brothers of the governor – Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Winston Garcia.—/NLQ   (FREEMANNEWS)