Lim rejects Rosales as Manila police chief

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has rejected the designation of Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales as chief of the Manila Police District and ordered current MPD director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa to remain at his post.

Lim said Abarzosa should “stay put” as acting MPD chief because he is “doing a good job. I have never made recommendations (of his relief) to this effect. I am satisfied with his performance from July 1 up to the present.”

Lim said he is satisfied with Abarzosa’s conduct of the anti-drug campaign, particularly the raid on the drug den in Intramuros and the demolition of “Little Vietnam” in Quiapo.

“How could you transfer him with that kind of a performance? That is why (his relief) would not push through,” he said.

Lim said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Reynaldo Varilla consulted him last Wednesday.

“Under the Philippine National Police (PNP) regulations, they should submit five names to me in case they change the head of the MPD. Varilla consulted with me and I said Danilo Abarzosa should stay put,” said Lim, who once headed the Western Police District, now known as the MPD.

President Arroyo reportedly wanted Rosales to be the MPD chief before the Sandiganbayan hands down its decision on the plunder case against ousted President Joseph Estrada.

“Why do they feel insecure in the presence of Col. Danny Abarzosa? He’s their man, he’s not one of my men. I welcome anyone provided they perform their duties,” he said.

Varilla said Lim “did not categorically say he is rejecting Rosales. He only pointed out some administrative lapses in the selection process.”

Sources said Lim was apparently peeved because he was not consulted in Rosales’ appointment.

Procedure dictates that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should submit to the mayor a list of five possible contenders for the top local police post, wherein the mayor will select his choice among the list. If he is not agreeable with the submitted five names, he will return the list to Camp Crame for revision.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon announced the designation of Rosales as officer-in-charge (OIC) of MPD effective Wednesday. Lim was reportedly surprised by the sudden announcement.

Abarzosa refused to comment on his reinstatement until he receives a recall order from Camp Crame. He admitted having received from Calderon the designation of Rosales, but the implementing guidelines for his transfer has not yet been released by the National Capital Region Police Office.  

In Calderon’s order, Abarzosa was designated as the new superintendent of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) based in Silang, Cavite also effective Wednesday, with Rosales appointed as OIC of the MPD.

Rosales’ classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Senior Superintendent Leon Nilo dela Cruz, will take over Rosales’ post at the SPD. Dela Cruz is currently assigned at the office of Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla.

The entry of Rosales, known for being a strict disciplinarian, is reportedly feared by some Manila policemen, who said Rosales’ style matches Lim’s unorthodox methods in dealing with criminals and drug pushers.

Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., who heads the Senior Officers’ Placement and Promotions Board, said they have not received a formal communication from Lim.

He said that should Lim refuse to accept Rosales, other candidates are Chief Superintendents Louie Palmera, Eric Javier, Isagani Cuevas and Josefino Cataluna. Javier and Cuevas are with the NCRPO, Palmera with the Directorate for Operations, while Cataluna is at Camp Crame. – With Nestor Etolle, Non Alquitran