ICPO chief willing to step down from post
AMID the apparent distrust of no less than Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on his capacity, Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal would have no second thoughts in relinquishing his post as Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director.
“Ako, basta may legal order, anytime, I would step down from post,” Mongcal said.
The city police chief did not further elaborate on the issue claiming that he would just do his job.
To note, Treñas again called for Mongcal’s relief after the lobbing of grenade at the mayor’s family-owned bakeshop and restaurant early morning of Monday at Brgy. Dungon-A, Jaro, Iloilo City. (See related story on page 1)
But both the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Police Regional Office (PRO) VI regarded the incident as “isolated case.”
“It’s very unfortunate that there are people who want to do such thing. It’s not good,” said PRO-6 director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas.
As proof that they are taking things seriously, the PRO-6 chief put another unit from PRO-6 to supervise the operation of the ICPO.
Cuevas also appealed of cooperation from everybody, especially those who have direct knowledge about the incident.
“On our part, we would not go to the point of choosing sides of any political candidate,” he assured.
But Treñas was not about to buy these assurances.
“Ang ginahambal nila pirme puro lang isolated case. Nagsugod ini sa natabo sa akon mga kabataan. Then ang pawnshop namon sa Jaro. Tapos may nagpalupok sa gate namon. Tapos subong ang bakeshop naman,” he said. “A series of isolated case and I think, it’s a pattern already. Ano ang ginahambal sang aton kapulisan nga isolated case?
Treñas also laughed off at the ICPO claims that policemen have been stationed in the area before the grenade-throwing incident.
“Kadugay na ina nga ginapabantayan nila pero nga-a natabo pa ang paghaboy granada?” he quipped.
Treñas cited that it was even Brgy. Capt. Genoveva Cabulong who went to the crime scene immediately after the incident.
“Siya nagkadto sa gwardya, ang nagbantay sang taxi kag nagdala sa ospital, nagtawag sang pulis kag kadugay pa nag-abot. Ano nga klase sang pagbantay ina?” he retorted.
