Munti's top cop to go on leave as son runs for SK post

MANILA, Philippines – Muntinlupa City police chief Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula will go on leave starting Thursday to give way to his son’s bid for a Sangguniang Kabataan post in Barangay Poblacion.

“I would take a leave of absence so that I could not be accused of being partisan to the candidacy of my son in the coming elections,” said Sapitula in an interview.

His son, Roemico, 15, is running against a son of an incumbent councilor.

Sapitual said he will vacate his post once he files his leave with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Southern Police District (SPD).

NCRPO chief Director Leocadio Santiago confirmed that Sapitula filed for a leave of absence and that an officer-in-charge would be named in his stead.

The STAR learned that Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro wants Sapitula to return to his post after the Oct. 25 elections.

Mandaluyong police chief ‘overstaying’

Santiago said Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun, the police chief of Mandaluyong City, will also be relieved because he has been “overstaying” at his post, which he has held for two years and eight months.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has yet to pick De Sagun’s successor from a list submitted to him by the NCRPO.

Santiago said Senior Superintendent Franklin Mabanag of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’85 is being groomed to replace De Sagun. De Sagun said he is willing to relinquish his post to anybody chosen by Abalos as his successor.