Negros Occidental police chief relieved

BACOLOD CITY — The police director of Negros Occidental was relieved from his post yesterday in what Gov. Joseph Marañon, who, along with other local politicians, recently withdrew his support for President Arroyo, claimed was politically motivated.

But Chief Superintendent George Aliño, Region 6 police director, said no politics was involved in the relief of Senior Superintendent Vicente Ponteras, a known close friend of Marañon who had endorsed him for the post.

Ponteras, who had served as provincial police chief for one year and eight months, was replaced yesterday by Superintendent Mark Edison Belarma in simple turnover rites at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. here.

Mrs. Arroyo was incidentally here yesterday.

Marañon questioned Ponteras’ relief, saying his shift of support to Fernando Poe Jr., the presidential standard bearer of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), was not a valid reason for such a move.

Aliño said the Commission on Elections approved Ponteras’ transfer and the appointment of Belarma, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1981, as officer-in-charge of the provincial police.

"In our jobs, we come and go," he said.

Ponteras admitted though that he had sought his transfer out of "delicadeza" and after he was warned of his impending relief three weeks ago following Marañon’s defection to Poe’s camp.

Aliño said Ponteras will occupy a much higher post at the regional police headquarters in Iloilo.

Meanwhile, an opposition congressional bet in Negros Oriental’s first district was reported to have declared his support for the tandem of Mrs. Arroyo and Sen. Noli de Castro.

In a press conference in Dumaguete City, Vic Rabaya said he had quit as Partido ng Masang Pilipino chairman and would pursue his candidacy as an independent.

"It is best for FPJ to just stick to the movies where he rightfully belongs and leave the business of governance to the tested and capable hands of President Arroyo," he said.