P’sinan board declares cop chief persona non grata

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – The provincial board unanimously approved on Monday a resolution declaring Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, provincial police director, persona non grata.

The board earlier had approved a resolution expressing its “sense of concurrence and support” to the court petition filed by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. for a temporary restraining order against Chan’s designation as provincial police director.

In a manifesto before the campaign period of the recent polls, majority of Pangasinan officials, mostly mayors, also called for Chan’s relief.

The resolution passed on Monday was jointly sponsored by provincial board members Von Mark Mendoza, Raul Sison, and Ranjit Ramos Shahani. 

Sought for comment, Chan said, “With such development, I join other parties concerned in urging a speedy disposition on the petition filed in court as to the status of my appointment, the resolution of which will surely of great help so that I can go on with my life and career.”

Chan said he is closely communicating with Chief Superintendent Ricardo Marquez, regional police director, on the matter.

Chan took over as officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan police in December last year. Last May 10, he received a memorandum officially designating him as provincial police director.

In its resolution, the provincial board said Chan’s appointment violates the PNP laws and the Omnibus Election Code, and is in fact the subject of a pending court petition.

It also alleged Chan’s violations during the election period when he supposedly demonstrated partiality and bias in dealing with poll-related issues.

Unlike past provincial directors, Mendoza said Chan did not give due courtesy to the provincial board by presenting himself and his plans on peace and order.

Sixth district board member Alfonso Bince Jr., who authored the resolution passed on June 3, said, “It’s his (Chan’s) own fault that we have to resort to that as early as December and there was already this move for him to step down and we requested the PNP to replace him but nothing happened.” 

Bince said he was reluctant to pass the latest resolution “but anyway I think he (Chan) had it coming.”

“We have gone too far in asking him to really consider his stubborn position. I think more important here is not the governor in person but the welfare of the people of Pangasinan in so far as peace and order situation is concerned. Imagine the governor and the PNP director not in talking terms? What will happen?” he said.

“The whole trouble is he does not react. Who in particular has asked him to stay despite this attitude of duly elected officials to him?” he added.

If Chan continues to cling to his position, Bince suggested that provincial officials call on President Aquino via a signed manifesto to look into the situation. 

Another step is to stage a rally in the provincial capitol to press for Chan’s ouster, Bince said.