Medellin restores support to local PNP

CEBU, Philippines - The logistical support for the Medellin Police Station that Mayor Ricardo Ramirez earlier withdrew has already been restored.

This is according to Acting Vice Mayor Alfonso Lim in an interview with The Freeman after the Municipal Council held its out-of-town session at the Capitol last Friday.

Lim said that the maintenance of peace and order in the town would be affected if the local government unit would not give logistical support to the local police.

He said the withdrawal of support for the local police was a sudden reaction of Mayor Ramirez when the provincial police tagged him as suspect in the killing of his head of security, Edelberto Abao.

Ramirez got angry with Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal who relieved the town’s police chief, Sr. Insp. Bonifacio Arriesgado, after the incident.

Arriesgado was replaced by Police Sr. Insp. Danilo Delantar.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 already filed a formal complaint against Ramirez before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for the death of Abao. Ramirez had said he is thankful that he is finally given the chance to prove his innocence through a legal process, anyway, it would be his turn to file cases against those who attempted to frame him up once he is vindicated.

 Lim said the out-of-town session they held at the Capitol had nothing to do with the case of Ramirez.

“We are backing our mayor in this concern,” Lim said.

He said that it was Provincial Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza, Jr. who arranged the venue at the Legislative Building to hold the session.

Lim said that the town officials earlier set a schedule to visit the Capitol to submit requests for financial assistance from PB Members Holganza, Joven Mondigo, Jr. and Sun Shimura.

Lim said that Ramirez was not present because it was a legislative affair. But the mayor knew about the out-of-town session, he added.

During the session, the council approved resolutions requesting Mondigo and Shimura the amount of P50,000 each and P25,000 to Holganza as financial assistance to the programs and activities of the Medellin Secondary Schools Athletic Association.

The council also asked Rep. Benhur Salimbangon the amount of P300,000 for the same purpose.

Lim said that Salimbangon and Ramirez will be the one to arrange a meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to also ask support for its sports program. (FREEMAN)