LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Efforts of the provincial officials led by re-elected Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to oust Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan as provincial police director have reached the court.
In a petition filed with the regional trial court last Tuesday, the provincial government is seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) and eventually a writ of preliminary injunction for Chan to cease and desist from exercising his function as provincial police director.
It is also asking the court to issue an order making the preliminary injunction permanent and to declare Chan’s appointment unlawful, paving the way for his ouster.
According to the petition, Chan’s designation as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Pangasinan police was terminated last May 13 “and under a seeming cloak of secrecy, he was appointed in full capacity†as provincial police director “in gross violation of the PNP law and Comelec issuances.â€
Chan was appointed as OIC last December and his designation was supposed to lapse last May 10.
Manifesto
Majority of mayors and members of the provincial board earlier had signed a manifesto for a change in the provincial police leadership, as they cited 23 documented but unsolved shooting incidents in the province since the election gun ban was enforced last Jan. 13 up to March.
Records show that the shooting incidents have now reached 80, all remaining unsolved, according to the petition.
It further alleged that majority of local police chiefs were unceremoniously replaced and the mayors concerned were never briefed nor informed about this while Commission on Elections Resolution 9385 was being implemented.
In the recent elections, Chan was scored for his alleged bias in dealing with election-related issues “because of (his) being related by consanguinity to a mayoralty candidate in eastern Pangasinan, and a known ally of some political personalities in the province. Being in such situation, he failed to exercise absolute objectivity and impartiality, in enforcing laws in the province, without fear or favor,†according to the petition.
Pursuant to Section 51 of Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, the incumbent governor is granted the right to choose the provincial police director among three eligible officers recommended, it added.
Immediately after he was proclaimed winner in his fight with Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, Espino said in an interview that he wanted Chan out of Pangasinan.
Sought for comment, Chan, who hails from San Quintin town, said he received a Camp Crame order from the regional police office “confirming my designation as full-time provincial director†of Pangasinan last May 10.
Chan said he would continue to perform his duties as the provincial police director, adding that he has no problem working with those who wanted him ousted.
“We have separate jobs to do, separate mandate, and maybe that should not be a problem,†he added.