The PNP’s Campaign against Criminality has brought the PNP in the limelight in the past months. PNP Chief General Oscar Albayalde was recently featured in the news for criticizing the childish acts of one Mayor in Eastern Metro Manila. It was later on confirmed by NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar that General Albayalde was referring to Marikina Mayor Teodoro. It was said that the Mayor’s action were brought about by an issue over the appointment of a new chief of police for Marikina. Just like any squabble there are two sides of the story.
According to PNP Chief General Albayalde, Mayor Teodoro withdrew financial support for the PNP in his area because he wasn’t informed of the change in command in Marikina PNP. A new acting police chief was assigned in Marikina City following the promotion of former Police Chief Col. Roger Quesada. Albayalde further explained that PNP personnel also have career ladders to pursue thus the transfer and promotion of Col. Quesada. Mayor Teodoro was not notified of these movements and this may have irked him according to Gen. Albayalde. As a result Teodoro allegedly cancelled police mobile gas assistance for a day. Gas allowance was reinstated the following day but the amount was reduced to a third of their regular allowance. This can be a blow to the PNP’s campaign against criminality because it lessens the mobile police patrol visibility in the community.
In Teodoro’s defense, he denied the accusations and said that the new acting chief may have misconstrued his statements and actions. He also said that it was an unfair statement to label his actions as childish because they are not withdrawing anything from the Marikina PNP. According to Teodoro he was only proposing a reassessment of the gas allowance provided by the PNP National Headquarters vs. their gas supply requirement so they can split the costs with the LGU. He also stated that Acting Police Chief Maranan does not coordinate with him.
On the issue of not informing the LGU chief on the appointment of a new acting police chief, General Albayalde says that there is no law that mandates the PNP to inform local chief executives on the reassignment of the chiefs of police in their areas. Under the law a Mayor has the prerogative to choose the police chief for his or her city from a list of officers recommended by the PNP. But there are also instances wherein the PNP can temporarily assign an acting police chief in their area.
Squabbles among government officials are nothing new in this country and sadly it is always the citizens who fall under the losing end. The LGU needs the PNP for the safety and security of their community while the PNP needs LGU support for the campaign against criminality and protect the public. For the sake of the residents of Marikina, I hope that the Marikina LGU and the PNP can iron out their differences and work together in mutual support. After all they both have the same goal in keeping the community safe and free of criminality.
