Cebu City police chief to quit if police force fails to arrest suspect in robbery spree

‘I’M READY TO RESIGN’

Romana

Three more robberies and I’m out.

Senior Supt. Noli Romana, director of the Cebu City Police Office, yesterday  made the statement after   Mayor Michael Rama  met with police and told them  heads would roll if   the spate of robberies in the city continues.

“I will resign if three station commanders will be removed. If the robberies continue, then it will mean we’re not effective,” Romana  said.

A one-strike policy for station commanders was agreed in the meeting last Wednesday.

It means that if a robbery occurs in a 24/7 commercial establishment, the station commander of the area will be relieved from his post.

Insisting on better police performance, Mayor Rama  threatened to withhold the P2,000 allowance monthly given by City Hall to the city’s policemen.

Romana made the commitment in Wednesday’s meeting with Rama and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who chairs the city’s Police Coordinating Advisory Council.

The one-strike rule for police station commanders will apply to  robbery and holdups against commercial establishments with security cameras like 24/7 convenience stores which have been recent targets of criminals.

Romana said the rule won’t apply to crimes committed in other public areas or in public utility vehicles.

“Since establishments have security cameras, then we can check if the robbery happened. And if found out that the police were remiss,  the station commander will be removed,” he said.

The string of recent robberies took place in Western Union outlet in Banaway (October 9), Alberto’s Pizza in P. del Rosario Street (October 28), Petron Gas Station in N. Bacalso Street (November 1), a 7/11 convenience store in N. Bacalso Street (November 4), Route Stop  Convenience Store in M. Velez Street (November 5), and Florence Store in Gorordo Avenue (November 12).

These were listed in a covenant signed by police officials  in a white board in the mayor’s office.

Due process
Chief Supt. Prudencio Banas, chief of the Police Regional Office 7, said the relief of policemen  should follow due process.

“I  could not yet tell if it is a right or wrong move. We will evaluate it,” he said.

Mayor Rama said Romana and the city police force know  the consequences of poor performance.

“What’s the use of them having to receive a subsidy and not showing any commensurate assistance to promote peace and order? It will become an unfair gesture from the source of the money, the  taxpayers,” he added.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama shows reporters the agreements listed in a white board which were pledged by Cebu city police chief Noli Romana and station commanders after a meeting on Wednesday. (CDN PHOTO/JOSE SANTINO BUNACHITA)

Personal choice
Romana was Mayor Rama’s personal choice to head the city’s police force. In January 2013, Rama was vocal in declaring his preference to have Romana – then provincial police director of Negros Oriental– at Camp Cabahug.

After winning reelection, Rama lobbied for Romana’s appointment even though regional police chief, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo opposed the transfer.

“I know  the mayor went out of his way to get me as his chief of police. That’s why I’m constantly under pressure to do my best and make sure hindi natin maipapahiya si mayor,” Romana told Cebu Daily News earlier this year when a similar crime wave hit the city. /with reports from Correspondents Chito O. Aragon and Melissa Q. Cabahug