DESPITE the decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to relieve him, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) head Senior Superintendent John Michael Dubria has to keep his post pending instructions from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa.
Police Regional Office (PRO) director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, in an interview on Tuesday, clarified that the order to relieve a city director or provincial director should come from him.
"With due respect to the mayor, she can recommend. I believe she already spoke with the Philippine National Police (PNP) head Ronald dela Rosa but I am not privy to their conversation," Gaerlan said.
Gaerlan said he is just waiting for instruction coming from dela Rosa. He added that as of now, he instructed Dubria to continue dispensing his duties as the city police director until an order is issued.
"The order will come from me [whether to relieve the city director]. If given the instruction from the chief PNP, I will issue such an order," Gaerlan said.
Gaerlan added that he has not yet received a request from the City Mayor's Office for Dubria to be relieved from his post.
"As to the reports that there are list of police officials, again, I am not privy to their conversation. If there is such a list, I am sure the chief PNP will give instructions," Gaerlan said.
But as to Republic Act 8551 or The PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, Gaerlan said, the power of the mayor is to choose from a list of five police officials.
Gaerlan added that they will prepare such list and based on the procedures from the Senior Officers Replacement Board, the PNP will prepare a list if there is a vacancy.
"As of this time, Senior Superintendent Dubria pa rin ang city police director. I am waiting also for the request of Mayor Sara Duterte for the relief of Dubria, pero sa ngayon wala pa akong natatanggap," Gaerlan said.
Duterte-Carpio wanted to replace Dubria, who just assumed post in June, and Task Force Davao head Colonel Henry Robinson Jr., who assumed post in May, following the explosion at the Roxas Night Market last Friday.
