Peeved over Cebu cop chief’s relief, gov cuts off police aid

CEBU — Disappointed with what she described as the "unceremonious" relief of acting provincial police director Vicente Loot, Gov. Gwen Garcia has partially withdrawn the Capitol’s assistance to the provincial police command, according to a source.

The source told The Freeman that the Capitol has withdrawn its 450-liter monthly gasoline allowance to the provincial police effective Thursday.

Garcia admitted that she was "extremely disappointed" with Loot’s relief despite his commendable performance.

She also felt slighted that Loot was relieved from his position without the police higher-ups conferring with her first.

Senior Superintendent Drusillo Bolodo officially took over as Cebu police director during a turnover ceremony Thursday morning.

Only high-ranking provincial police officials and the media were there to witness the brief and simple event.

Bolodo admitted that Loot’s relief has been shrouded with political controversy but he expressed hope that he would be spared from it.

He said he plans to make a courtesy call on Garcia to get the support she had also extended to Loot.

Garcia refused to comment on Bolodo’s takeover, but she said the provincial government may order the provincial police to move its present headquarters out of the province-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug and use the area instead for commercial purposes to generate more revenues.

Earlier, she had offered to find a relocation site for the provincial police and to help it construct a building of its own.

Asked where the provincial police headquarters will be relocated should the province decide to use the lot, Garcia said, "That will be somebody’s problem."

The communications equipment and computerization plan — linking all police stations in the province, and the 12 police vehicles the Capitol earlier planned to release — may not also push through, according to the source.

Garcia did not categorically say that Loot’s ouster was the reason for her withdrawing support for the provincial police.

But she implied that Loot should have been retained. "Performance should speak for itself and I demand performance," she said.

Garcia gave assurances that her withdrawal of support for the provincial police would not compromise the peace and order situation in the province.

She said any assistance for local police stations will now be given directly to their respective municipal governments.

However, she said, "I will have to re-evaluate whether or not the whole-hearted support of the province to the (provincial police) is, indeed, appreciated."

Bolodo served as the provincial police director of Oriental Negros before he was appointed as regional logistics division chief. He was one of those Camp Crame had recommended as Cebu police director.

Although he did not possess the rank required for a provincial director, Loot was Garcia’s personal choice.

Loot’s wife, Maria Luisa, the mayor of Daanbantayan town, is a known ally of Garcia who, in turn, is a political enemy of Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez.

There were speculations that it was Martinez who orchestrated Loot’s relief and his replacement by Bolodo.

Martinez, as member of the powerful Commission on Appointments in Congress, had reportedly demanded for Loot’s relief, allegedly in exchange of her vote to confirm Angelo Reyes as interior and local government secretary.

She, however, denied this, saying Cebu needs a qualified provincial police director.

Bolodo, for his part, said, "I hope things would run smoothly."

He and Loot dismissed insinuations there was a political power play in the change of command.

Loot said he was comfortable with what happened to him after serving the provincial police for barely two months.

He even joked that his wife is preparing a celebration for his return to her loving arms again.

"No hard feelings, no regrets. Politics is not my line and let’s leave it to the politicians," he said.

Loot is technically still under the provincial police, but he said he was on leave effective yesterday, for 15 days or until he gets another assignment.

He said he will gladly accept whatever assignment his superiors will give him.

Bolodo, for his part, said there will be no immediate changes in the thrusts of the provincial police during the transition period.

He said he will continue the anti-crime programs which Loot had started. — Freeman News Service