Muntinlupa police chief sacked

Muntinlupa’s police chief was relieved from his post effective yesterday after he became the subject of a complaint from a congressman.

Superintendent Jose Mario Espino alleged that Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon had requested that he be removed after he ordered his men to discontinue acting as Biazon’s escorts.

Biazon reportedly is used to having at least two police officers by his side who serve as bodyguards.

Espino’s relief likewise came after he ordered Biazon’s name to be erased from Muntinlupa police cars.

"These orders came from the main office of the Commission on Elections. I even notified him (Biazon) before I finally carried out the said orders and he agreed to it. I was just surprised that he is doing this to me now," he said.

Espino acknowledged that his relief was part of the nationwide reshuffle of police chiefs before the coming May elections, but he still suspected that his removal was politically motivated.

He said Biazon’s camp could have misconstrued his actions to be favoring Ricardo "Dong" Puno, who was earlier reported to be running for Muntinlupa congressman.

Puno, a former television talk show host, will run as a guest-candidate in Mayor Jaime Fresnedi’s group under the Lakas party banner.

Espino maintained that he wasn’t taking sides and was only doing his job. "We are just following orders. It is unfair to us policemen that when political rivals clash, we are the ones who are sacrificed," he lamented.

Espino said he is now on a "floating status" or without an assignment.

An order (General Order Number 07-16) issued by Southern Police District Director Chief Superintendent. Roberto Rosales stated that Police Superintendent Edgar Ferrater, will temporarily take over Espino’s post.

Fresnedi said he has nothing to do with Espino’s relief. "I am not aware of such orders concerning Congressman Biazon. The police could just be doing their jobs but the said measures they have undertaken did not originate from my office."