New police chief for Cebu City?

CEBU, Philippines – Has a new police chief been appointed for Cebu City?

Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera said he received information from sources about a “change of command,” which would transfer acting chief Senior Supt. Mariano Batiancela to another post.

Garganera assailed the timing of the supposed decision as the same would jeopardize the city’s security plans for the Sinulog and the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) this month.

“This would be very unfair. Why now? A lot of things have been plotted out already and if someone will have to take over, will we start from scratch? You see, our only aim here is to make the activities successful,” Garganera said.

He pointed out that Batiancela is the one knowledgeable of the plans having sat in collaborative meetings with stakeholders of the two events.

“Together with the police force, we have been coordinating with the past months and Senior Supt. Batiancela has been attending the seven successive meetings for the two religious activities. And what, will he abandon all the meetings?” Garganera added.

Garganera and Batiancela are members of Police Coordinating Advisory Council (PCAC).

Police Supt. Renato Dugan, head of the Human Resource Office and public information officer of the Police Regional Office-7, said no official order to this effect has been issued.

“We will have yet to make an official statement if we can confirm the report kon naay order nga maabot. As of now, there is no official order to replace Batiancela. With that premise, dili ta kaingon nga tinuod na,” Dugan said.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the city’s acting mayor, said City Hall has lobbied for Batiancela’s appointment as permanent police chief.

“We did that (endorsement) after consulting various sectors, various stakeholders and even consulted (suspended) Mayor (Michael) Rama on his thoughts and he is also favorable on our recommendation of Batiancela insofar as his performance as acting CCPO chief,” Labella told reporters.

“He has done a good job and we are hoping for him to do more when he will get his official appointment as the permanent chief of CCPO,” he added.

Rama said he has no problems with Batiancela but feels the police official needs to walk the extra mile.

“I am okay with Jun. Yet, he has to prove more and that he should be clear on his thrust. Jun tried his best but he has to do more and more,” Rama said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)