‘If there’s political partisanship among cops’
CITY Mayor Jerry Trenas yesterday said he will recommend that the city be placed under the Comelec control if there are already strong indications of political partisanship on the part of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and presence of armed men that could disrupt the conduct of peaceful election here.
Trenas reaction was in relation to reports that the camp of Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. and incumbent Congressman Raul Gonzalez are using the police for their personal advantage. The father and son tandem have number of police escorts.
Trenas stressed that he does not want a repeat of the Maguindanao massacre where law enforcers and private armies were used by the powerful Ampatuan clan in inflicting harm to their political foes.
At least 57 people were killed in the Maguindanao massacre of which 31 are journalists. The gruesome murder which caught international attention prompted the replacement of police force in the area.
The police must distance themselves from politics. The police should remain professional and neutral among the candidates. “I am still watching the situation and I do not want the police to be used as private armies.”
There is information that the chiefs of police including ICPO director Sr. Supt. Melvin Moncal was called by the Gonzalez’s for a meeting, said Trenas.
Though, the chief executive has the authority over the city police, and yet Trenas finds it reasonable to place the city under the Comelec control if the need arises. “It is better that the Comelec will have control over the assignment and deployment of police in the city.”
The idea to put the city under the Comelec control started when a residence of one of the leaders of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog was strafed by unknown suspects.
The mayor added that he is amenable on the proposal to assign two police escorts for officials like him. “You do not need several security escorts if you feel loved by your people.”
