Natu-el challenged by Rama’s opposition

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Police Office director Mariano Natu-el Jr. said Mayor Michael Rama’s revelation that he wants a new CCPO chief has challenged him to perform better.

“This is a challenge for me to be more efficient in my job. Despite the fact that the mayor doesn’t like me, or not necessarily dislike me, the more I’ll prove to him na I’m better in my job,” said Natu-el, clarifying that there’s no personal disagreement between him and the mayor.

Natu-el was appointed acting CCPO director last January but has been designed as the full-fledged director of CCPO since May 10. He showed the media a copy of the memorandum from the Police Regional Office-7, terminating his status as acting director and designating him as city director of CCPO as per general order of PRO-7 director Marcelo Garbo, Jr.

“This is a blessing for me. Pwede gihapon ko mapahawa ani nga pwesto any time, but at least may record ‘ta nga na-city director ta sa CCPO,” said Natu-el, considering Cebu City as a highly-urbanized and challenging area.

The CCPO director said he has no problem if he is not Rama’s choice and will just follow order from his superiors.

The memorandum upset Rama.

Rama said Camp Crame officials should comply with the provisions of the law, which provides that the mayor should be the one to choose the police official who will be appointed as chief of police in the cities and municipalities.

Section 63 of Republic Act 8551 or the New Police Act of 1998 provides that the other power given to the mayors is the authority to choose the chief of police from a list of five eligibles recommended by the police director.

While the mayor is given the chance to choose their police chiefs, the law also empowers the mayor to recommend to the police officials the recall or reassignment of the chief of police if the latter has been ineffective in combating crime or maintaining peace and order in the city or municipality.

Although Rama has no personal disagreements with Natu-el, he says he prefers Senior Supt. Noli Romana to head CCPO.

Rama even went to Camp Crame last Friday to personally request PNP Chief Allan Purisima that Romana be assigned to Cebu City.

After The FREEMAN informed him of the latest development, Rama reminded the top police officials that the city had helped the Cebu City Police Office by providing police vehicles, fuel and monthly cash allowance for policemen. He also said they have spent millions for other kinds of assistance like buying guns for the police and the renovation of the CCPO building.

When asked if he will pull out the city’s assistance to the police, Rama said he will announce his next move in today’s press conference in City Hall, but said “Binuang ni’ng ilang gihimo.” -/BRP (FREEMAN)