Vizcaya cop chief told to vacate post

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The prolonged animosity between the provincial government and the regional police office invol­ving the relief or retention of Senior Superintendent Segundo Duran as provincial police director here took another turn yesterday as the latter ordered the police official to vacate his post while the former filed another case before the court to contest the relief order.

In a memorandum received here yesterday, Cagayan Valley police director Chief Superintendent Ameto Tolentino ordered Duran to “cease and desist from exercising the duties and functions of provincial director.” At the same time, the order, dated Feb. 1, directed Duran “to report to this regional (police) office (based in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan) effective immediately.” 

Tolentino cited the earlier denial of the court here of the extension of the temporary restraining order (TRO) and the motion for reconsideration filed by the provincial government in its effort to keep Duran as provincial police director as basis for his order, which he said was also “pursuant to General Order 04 issued by this office on Jan. 16,” terminating the police official’s tour of duty here.

In Duran’s relief order last month, the regional police office also designated his deputy, Superintendent Domingo Lucas as officer-in- charge of the provincial police office here. 

Tolentino’s memorandum yesterday came amid the provincial government’s filing for certiorari with an amended petition, further asserting as well as fortifying its claim over the right of the local government unit in the termination as well as selection of its provincial director. The certiorari and injunction filed by the provincial government seeks to prevent the police regional office in its implementation of Duran’s relief order.  

This time, the provincial government, with Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma as petitioner, included Philippine National Police chief Director-General Avelino Razon Jr. as one of the respondents with Tolentino in its case. Duran, as the affected personality, also joined the provincial government as petitioner against the two high-ranking police officials.  

Legal advisers for Duran led by lawyer Joel Baquiran advised Duran to hold on to his post as provincial director until all legal remedies shall have been exhausted amid Tolentino’s order for him to vacate his position.