Pasay police chief keeps his post

The chief of the Pasay City police force would be retaining his post even after a request from acting Pasay Mayor Allan Panaligan that he be relieved for failing to clear City Hall of suspended Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad’s supporters.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Senior Superintendent Ricardo Padilla yesterday said Superintendent Marietto Valerio has not been relieved.

"I still believe in Superintendent Valerio’s capability. I even instructed him to focus more on the drive against criminality as well as ensure peace and order in Pasay City," Padilla said in a statement.

Panaligan confirmed that Valerio was still the city’s chief of police. "In fact, I just requested him to facilitate the removal of policemen assigned at detachment posts around City Hall."

He stressed that on his first day in office last Thursday, he did not directly order the relief of Valerio, but officially requested the SPD and the Department of Interior and Local Government to make possible his removal from his post.

"I am aware that I don’t have the power to do that," Panaligan said.

He also said that since part of the duties of policemen in detachment posts is to ensure the safety of the mayor, he would want to assign people he is familiar with.

"It is better that way since trust would not be a problem. We will be able to work together effectively," Panaligan said.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Carlos Ogalinola, head of the City Hall detachment team, said that if the acting mayor asks for their removal, they would abide by it. "However, we have not received any formal order yet."

Ogalinola said the team has 22 policemen.

Panaligan also said that he received word from the City Engineer’s Office that the people camping out at City Hall have expressed willingness to vacate the area.

Panaligan, acting Vice Mayor Arvin Tolentino and Councilors RJ Cabrera and Marlon Pesebre successfully took over City Hall last Thursday despite the presence of Trinidad’s supporters. The four are the only members of the City Council not suspended by the Ombudsman over allegedly anomalous garbage collection contracts.

The DILG was able to serve the suspension against Trinidad, Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto and 10 councilors last Wednesday. – Rhodina Villanueva