Makati police chief ‘relieved’

The police chief of Makati City has been "relieved" from his post following the recent arrest of a former Makati vice mayor, who has long been a staunch critic of Mayor Jejomar Binay.

The relief of Superintendent Marieto Valerio came hours after Makati policemen served a court-issued warrant against Roberto Brillante last Tuesday morning. Brillante was earlier convicted in a libel case filed by Binay.

The former vice mayor is the coordinator of the signature drive of the People’s Initiative in Makati, which is known as an opposition bailiwick. His group is targeting 20,000 signatures in Makati for the Charter change campaign.

Southern Police District director Ricardo Padilla, however, clarified that Valerio took a leave because of personal problems. Superintendent Felipe Napoles, the deputy chief of police, has been designated as officer-in-charge.

Padilla said he has been coordinating with Binay regarding Valerio’s status.

Apart from Valerio, Superintendent Jose Ramon Salido, chief of the investigation and intelligence section and the officer who arrested Brillante, was also relieved.

Binay deplored the "sudden and unexplained relief" of Valerio.

"The Southern Police District leadership should come up with a clear explanation for the decision. I am hoping against hope that politics was not involved here because it will reflect badly on the professionalism of the police force," he said.

The mayor said he doubts that Valerio had merely gone on leave.

"The timing is suspect. SPD officials should be gentlemen enough to tell the entire story. They owe the police chief that much," he said.

Last year, Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez was transferred to the National Capital Region Police Office at the height of the protest rallies in Makati. — Rhodina Villanueva