Escalante Council to seek relief of top police officials

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Escalante City government readied itself of hitting back at the Philippine National Police officials who ordered for the relief of 12 policemen assigned at City Police station, allegedly without due process.

Escalante Vice Mayor Ester Ampil and eight councilors, in a press conference at the Negros Press Club in Bacolod yesterday said they were set to deliberate on a plan to seek for the relief of Police Regional Office-6 director Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr. and Negros Occidental Provincial Police director Sr. Supt. Allan Guisihan, who allegedly started the controversy.

Councilor Santiago Maravilla said he will propose to the council in its next session to submit an appeal to President Benigno Aquino III, the DILG, and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to relieve Querol and Guisihan so the problem will be solved.

Maravilla said they will also ask the Commission on Audit (COA) to audit the funds the city government has been giving to the Escalante Police, including power, fuel and rice allowances, on top of the budget from the national government.

The role of the LGU is to support the PNP, but now that its officials no longer need the city’s support, such financial aid would be withdrawn, said the vice mayor. - THE FREEMAN