Lim to study proposals for new MPD chief, ban on Mendiola rallies

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said yesterday he will study the proposals of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon to replace the head of the Manila Police District (MPD) and to ban demonstrators from holding rallies at the Mendiola Bridge.

The two men discussed these issues during a breakfast meeting at the Manila Diamond Hotel yesterday.

Lim reiterated that he was satisfied with MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa, saying that “so far so good, he has been performing well.”

He said he has seen Abarzosa’s efforts to lessen the crime rate in Manila by going after robbers, cellphone snatchers, rioting gangs, and illegal drug users and pushers.

“The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP have also promised that they would support our campaign to make Manila to be pleasant,” Lim said.

Calderon said Lim can keep Abarzosa at his post, at least for a one-month “test period.” He said Abarzosa was supposed to be promoted from MPD head to administrator of the PNP Academy, where Abarzosa is an alumnus.

The STAR gathered that one of the reasons that was holding back Abarzosa from leaving MPD is the possibility that he could no longer be promoted to chief superintendent or an equivalent of general in military until he retires.

Calderon, however, revealed that he would recommend to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) that Abarzosa be promoted to “star rank” since the post he has been holding requires the rank of chief superintendent.

However, Lim – a former MPD chief – said he will follow the PNP procedure and receive a list of five candidates to replace Abarzosa.

“This is for my consideration, I will be the one to choose,” he said.

One of the top contenders to replace Abarzosa is Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, who currently heads the Southern Police District (SPD).

They also discussed Calderon’s concern over the safety of Malacañang. The PNP chief asked Lim to reconsider his decision to allow rallies at the Mendiola bridge, now known as the Don Chino Roces bridge.

Calderon asked that the protesters be restricted to the city’s freedom parks and not be allowed to occupy half of the bridge.

But again the 77-year-old Lim said he would study the proposal.

“So far there had only been two rallies, these happened on two consecutive Sundays and they have both been peaceful and orderly,” he said.

Lim added in both rallies, MPD policemen and Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel provide enough of a defense for Malacañang.

The demonstrators will still be required to submit a rally request to Manila City Hall and Lim said he will cancel the permit if the rally becomes violent.

Despite Lim’s position to allow protesters on Mendiola bridge, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno expressed confidence that Lim will not “allow disorder in Manila. I know Manila is in good hands.”

Puno noted that it was Lim’s prerogative as the local chief executive of the country’s capital to re-assess the security arrangement observed in Manila, particularly in Mendiola.

“If that is his (Lim’s) assessment (that Mendiola can be opened to rallyists) having served as mayor, senator and DILG secretary (he must have his own basis). I favor his decision unless proven otherwise,” he said.

Lim served as DILG secretary under jailed President Joseph Estrada. – Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Fristche Bautista