Bacoor mayor stripped of police control

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) stripped the mayor of Bacoor, Cavite yesterday of his operational and supervisory control over the local police for abusing his authority by padlocking the municipal police headquarters and recalling the vehicles and equipment he had donated to the unit last Wednesday night.

With the Napolcom’s decision, contained in a four-page resolution signed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who chairs the commission, Mayor Jessie Castillo lost his powers to direct, supervise, and oversee the day-to-day functions of the local police force, particularly during the election campaign period.

Concurring with the decision were Napolcom Commissioners Linda Malenab-Hornilla, Celia Sanidad-Leones and Miguel Coronel, and Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

Castillo, who is on his third and last term, is reportedly fielding his wife in the mayoral race.