Tomas mum on return of police control

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña

DESPITE learning that his operational control over the city police will be reinstated, Cebu City Mayor Osmeña said he still has no plans on what he will do with them.

The mayor refused to comment on pronouncements made by National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao that his authority over the police will be reinstated.

“No comment. They put the police here, what am I supposed to do? Change the police chief? Basta, better not to comment anymore. Whatever I say will be twisted. I have no plans (for the police),” he said yesterday.

Rep. Raul Del Mar of Cebu City’s north district, an Osmeña ally, lobbied in Congress to restore the mayor’s deputation from the Napolcom.

Del Mar told Cebu Daily News that he’s happy with the news.

He said he personally talked with Napolcom Chairman and Interior and Local Governments (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno regarding his request.

“During our conversation, he was agreeable. From the way our conversation went, I had the impression that it was positive, that he was favorable to the reconsideration,” he said.

Their talk happened last Thursday inside the Congress’ holding room where Sueno was waiting for the budget hearing for Napolcom and DILG for next year.

Del Mar said he took the opportunity to directly talk to the secretary and chairman regarding his request for Napolcom to reconsider its resolution withdrawing Osmeña’s deputation and asking the president to do so.

With the incoming return of the mayor’s control over the police, Del Mar said he won’t be pushing for his earlier call for an inquiry on the Napolcom decision. He said though that he will still initiate discussions on amending existing laws which lay the grounds for Napolcom to withdraw its deputation from mayors.

Del Mar was referring specifically to the basis that states “engaging in any act inimical to national security or which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.”

This was the basis of the Napolcom’s resolution against Osmeña following the mayor’s statements that he will not get involved in the police’s campaign against illegal drugs and for withdrawing his reward system for police who can neutralize criminals.

Del Mar said there should be specific acts, among others, referring to this certain basis since he said it is generalized.

“It’s very generalized and is subject to interpretation. We have to make it clear and specific. Otherwise, it will be subjected to interpretation for or against any side,” he said.