Negros police chief sacked for escorting town mayor

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The police chief of Pulupandan town in Negros Occidental, together with two of his personnel, was relieved from his post Tuesday, a day after he was reportedly seen escorting his mayor who dared the governor’s chief of staff to a boxing match.

Senior Superintendent Celestino Guara Jr., acting provincial police director, sacked Pulupandan police chief Senior Inspector Edcel Balibadlan, PO3 Ronald Palacios and PO2 Lelanie Lagoting pending an investigation into media reports, including television footage, of the incident.

The three were reportedly seen escorting Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña, who was recently disbarred by the Supreme Court, in the provincial capitol Monday morning to challenge provincial legal officer Jose Ma. Valencia, also the chief of staff of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., to a boxing match.

Peña, estranged husband of actress Plinky Recto, is a relative and ally of Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr. who is challenging Marañon’s re-election bid. 

Provincial election supervisor Wil Arceño said the relief of the three police officers was carried out with the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Under Comelec rules, Arceño said only the governor and congressmen are allowed police escorts during the election period.

It is considered an election offense for policemen to act as escorts to a mayor during the election period, he added.

Balibadlan, however, denied that he escorted Peña, saying he went to the provincial capitol to try to pacify Peña.

Guara said the relief was indeed due to the fact that Balibadlan was seen accompanying Peña at the provincial capitol.

Guara reiterated the instruction of police higher-ups that law enforcers should be impartial in the elections.

Valencia, for his part, chose not to show up for the boxing match with Peña upon the mayor’s dare.

Wearing what he called his Jean-Claude Van Damme outfit, Peña flexed his muscles and went directly to the Social Hall of the capitol, shouting “Joval, make my day!”

The mayor told reporters he did not eat breakfast so he could be in good form for the boxing match. But he waited in vain, as Valencia did not show up.

Valencia, who was in his office, only laughed and shrugged his shoulders when reporters later asked him for his comment on Peña’s actions.

Last week, Peña challenged Marañon to a debate, and Valencia to a boxing match. It started when the governor challenged Alvarez to a debate on their respective platforms of government.

But Alvarez rejected the debate, saying it was “useless” since it is not yet the start of the campaign. The campaign period for local candidates begins this Saturday.