Inday Sara: No need to remove Davao police chief

MANILA, Philippines  — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday changed her mind and decided to no longer replace the Davao City police chief.

The mayor earlier said she wanted Davao City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria as well as Task Force Davao former chief Col. Henry Robinson Jr. replaced after the explosion at the Roxas night market explosion last September 2, which left 15 people dead and 69 others wounded. However, the mayor reconsidered her decision.

READ: Sara Duterte wants new Davao City army, police chief

"I have reconsidered my earlier decision and I now want Dubria to stay," Duterte-Carpio said.

"It will be easy for him to transfer to another post and forget what happened the night of September 2, 2016 in Davao City. But, after careful thought, I want him to stay and feel the pain I feel every day. A new city director would not understand this feeling," she added.

The relief of Dubria was deferred after the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters failed to come up with a list of possible officials to replace Dubria. PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa just submitted the list of possible replacements on Thursday.

Among the police officers considered to replace Dubria were Senior Superintendent Antonino Yarra, Senior Superintendent Albert Ocon and Senior Superintendent Milo Pagtalunan. 

Duterte-Carpio declined the suggested officers and reiterated that she wants Dubria to stay. She said Dubria must be reminded of the terror attack that shocked Dabawenyos and how the victims and their families are living with their loss because of complacency.

"I don't want him to forget," she said. "I want him to learn from it. What I want is that he will function as director of the DCPO guided by the lessons of that terror attack,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio, also the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, said she and her father had a disagreement over the relief of Dubria and Robinson. The latter graciously accepted his relief while Dubria held on to his post.

Dubria even led the probe into the September 2 blast. Three suspected members of the notorious Maute group have been arrested last month. The bombing was reportedly staged to disrupt military operations in Sulu.  — Rosette Adel