Malacañang asked to install Rama’s preferred CCPO chief

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama asked Malacañang last Wednesday to ensure that Senior Superintendent Noli Romana can immediately assume as director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) before the holding of Sinulog activities.

Before Rama met with Malacañang’s Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa shortly before noontime, he also had a talk with newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Allan Purisima at Camp Crame.

Purisima and Ochoa did not assure the mayor that Romana can assume his new post immediately because the latter would also have to clear himself of any accountability from his previous assignment.

Rama said he flew to Manila only for that specific purpose because he was not happy when Camp Crame officials relieved Senior Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafe as CCPO director without the courtesy of informing him first.

Buenafe, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986, assumed as CCPO top official months after Rama became mayor in June of 2010 and held the post for over two years.  Reports said that after he was relieved, Buenafe suggested to Rama that Romana, his classmate in PMA, would be recommended as his replacement.

Section 51 of Republic Act 6975 as amended by Section 62 of Republic Act 8551 empowers the mayor to choose from a list of five police officials who will be appointed as chief of police in his city or municipality.

Romana used to be the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the National Capital Region.

The incoming CCPO director who hails from Manila was assigned twice in the United Nations missions to East Timor and Kosovo.

He was also the head of Task Force Maverick, created during the stint of then PNP Chief Leandro Mendoza, which went after terrorists, bank robbers and kidnappers.

According to Rama he already met Romana at the City Hall last month and he admired him.

Rama refused to say why he is not convinced that CCPO acting chief Mariano Natuel, whose name was also included in the list, would head the 900 policemen in the city.

The mayor said if PNP 7 Regional Director Marcelo Garbo will not help ensure that Romana can assume his new post before the Sinulog, Garbo should be on top of the security preparations during the event. — (FREEMAN)