Binay questions Makati police officials’ relief

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay’s camp is asking the Southern Police District (SPD) to explain why it is relieving four ranking officials of the Makati police.

"At least out of courtesy, we would want to know the basis behind the transfer or reassignments," Joey Salgado, Binay’s information officer, told The Star in an interview.

Major changes in local police units affect local governments, he said.

Binay’s camp is suspicious of the reassignments because the elections are only months away. They want an assurance that the reliefs were not politically motivated.

The Commission on Elections, in a Jan. 25 letter to SPD officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Roberto Bondoc approved the reassignment of Makati City’s Deputy chief of Police and three other ranking officials.

Superintendent Victor Laores, who also heads the Logistics Section; Superintendent Angel Sumulong, chief of the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs — Special Operations Task Force; chief Inspector Manuel Santos, who heads the Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID); and Police Community Precinct 9 commander, Inspector Mario Ignacio, were all being reassigned to the District Headquarters Support Group.

The letter, signed by Michael Dioneda, officer-in-charge of the Comelec’s Regional Election Director’s Office, said Bondoc requested for an exemption from the ban on transfers or reassignment of personnel during the election period.

Salgado said replacing police officials holding important positions will affect functions of the local police force.

Though he opted not to think that the move has something to do with the upcoming polls for now, he said the SPD is yet to issue an official explanation.

"It’s customary, it’s a matter of courtesy," he explained noting that major changes in the composition of police units affect LGUs "so it concerns the local government also."

"Why them? Why were they singled out?" Salgado asked adding that an explanation from the SPD would keep things clear. — Michael Punongbayan