CEBU City police officials led by their new chief, Senior Supt. Joel Doria, visited the City Council during their regular session to reiterate their commitment to serve and protect Cebu City residents.
“It’s the mayor’s prerogative and we cannot blame him since the transfer orders were sudden. Right now we are waiting for another order to revamp and transfer officers,” Doria said.
He said he was caught by surprise with his transfer to Cebu City from Pasay City.
“Considering that we are under the PNP, we have to follow orders. Wherever we are assigned, that’s okay because that is the nature of our job,” Doria said.
Despite Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s decision to withdraw the allowances of the city police, Doria said they will do their best with the resources at their disposal.
Doria said the warm welcome that he and other police officers received from the council gives him hope that the mayor will eventually receive them.
Osmeña objected to the transfer of Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador and Senior Supt. Benjamin Santos who served as Police Regional Office chief and Cebu City police chief respectively.
Doria said the pressure is there for him to perform well.
He said he is ready to make a courtesy call to the mayor anytime.
“We will continue what they started and do our best to match their performance,” he said.
Doria said the police will do their job regardless of whether or not they have cash incentives.
“Those are incentives, we have salaries. The vehicles that were provided to us will benefit the city residents because they will be used to patrol the streets and respond to any emergencies,” he said.