Fire chief relieved

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar was relieved from his post yesterday and will assume as the new assistant regional director for operations in the National Capital Region.

He was replaced by Chief Insp. William Tacaldo, the chief of Dumaguete City fire department.

Mayor Michael Rama, however, said he would block Comar's transfer from the city.

Although he blamed his transfer on Bureau of Fire Protection-7 director Ma. Louisa Hadjula, Comar said he would gracefully leave.

"As a man in uniform sanay na mi ana (we are used to the revamp). All we have to do now is follow orders," he told The FREEMAN.

The order, according to him, was issued by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Rama's opposition

Rama said he will do whatever he can in order for Comar to stay.

"I never want him out. I will make a communication with DILG to retain him if he still wants to stay," Rama said.

This is not the first attempt to relieve Comar. There were moves from the regional office to relieve him last year and early this year.

"Can't it be stopped? I will ask for exemption to retain him," Rama vowed, saying that he has trust and confidence in Comar.

Challenging assignment

Tacaldo, for his part, said he finds his new assignment a challenging one.

"It's a big difference because Cebu City is a highly-urbanized city. It is a challenge for my part," Tacaldo told reporters yesterday.

Tacaldo said he was informed of his transfer to Cebu City during the 21st anniversary of the BFP-7 yesterday.

After the celebration, he met with the commanders of the city's nine fire stations. 

- (FREEMAN)