TWENTY-FIVE local chief executives, including 18 town mayors, suspected of involvement in the illegal drugs trade have been stripped of their power over the police.
In a statement, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) revoked the police power of a governor from Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) and 24 mayors from different regions.
Cuy, who is also chair of Napolcom, said he and other members of the Napolcom en banc signed resolutions dated October 30, 2017 withdrawing from the 25 local chief executives their operational supervision and control over the police in their areas of jurisdiction.
“There is never a letup on the investigation of local officials reportedly aiding in narco-trade and criminality. The campaign is still on,” Cuy said.
Aside from the governor, others stripped of police power were seven mayors from Northern Mindanao, five from Calabarzon, four from Central Luzon, three from Soccsksargen, two from Mimaropa, one from Central Visayas, one for Zamboanga Peninsula and one from Ilocos Region.
The DILG statement, which was posted on its website, said the resolutions stated that Napolcom had received a confidential report alleging that the 25 officials committed abuse of authority. Napolcom also mentioned a report by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on suspected narco-politicians as a basis for the resolution.
The resolutions also alleged that the officials were "engaging in acts inimical to national security which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign of the government” and were suspected of “providing material support to criminal elements."
One resolution identified the 18 municipal mayors as: Crisinciano Mahilac of Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental; Michael Gutierrez of Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental; Donjie Animas of Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental; Jason Almonte of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental; Juanidy Viña of Concepcion, Misamis Occidental; Ezel Villanueva of Calamba, Misamis Occidental; Ferdinand Aguinaldo of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Andres Lacson of Concepcion, Tarlac; Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles, Pampanga; Jefferson Khonghun of Subic, Zambales; Erlon Agustin of Camiling, Tarlac; Mariano Blanco of Ronda, Cebu; Pablo Matinong Jr. of Santo Niño, South Cotabato; Christopher Cuan of Libungan, North Cotabato; Albert Palencia of Banga, South Cotabato; Leonida Angcap of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur; Niever Cabunalda-Rosento of El Nido, Palawan; and Abraham Ibba of Bataraza, Palawan.
Others who signed the resolution were Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rogelio Casurao and other commissioners, including Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
Earlier, the Napolcom also terminated the deputation of Lemery, Batangas Mayor Eulalio Alilio; Teresa, Rizal Mayor Raul Palino; Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili; Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Cecilio Hernandez; and San Pablo Mayor Loreto Amante on the same ground.
The agency said the orders have been served to the offices of the government officials for immediate implementation.
After having been elected, governors and mayors are automatically deputized as representatives of the Napolcom and authorized to inspect police forces and units, conduct audit and exercise other functions authorized by the commission.
However, the resolution said the President has the authority to suspend such power of governors and control.
After President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency, he identified the politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drugs operations.
The President’s drugs watch list includes the said local government executives.
“Based on the consistent pronouncements made by our Chief Executive President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs, the involvement of a local chief executive in illegal drug activity constitutes an act inimical to national security,” the resolution reads. (VoxPop Philippines)
