Cop who defied Binay is new Eastern Police District chief

MANILA, Philippines - A police official who figured in a standoff with Vice President Jejomar Binay in June is the new director of the Eastern Police District (EPD).

Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias assumed command of the EPD in a simple ceremony at its headquarters in Pasig City yesterday.

During the ceremony, there was talk among Camp Crame officials that the post was Jamias’ reward for going up against Binay, who has declared his intent to run for president next year.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, headed by Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer.

When asked about the post being a reward, Jamias denied it but did not elaborate.

Jamias – a member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1986 – assumed command of the EPD after the post was vacated last Friday by Chief Superintendent Abelardo Villacorta, who is set to formally retire today after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

His exploits as a Manila policeman led to a movie, titled “Barako ng Maynila,” with the lead role played by now Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in 2000.

Jamias was the deputy director for administration of the Southern Police District when then National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria assigned him to head a police task force to maintain peace and order at the Makati city hall after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.’s preventive suspension in June.

Jamias said the Vice President allegedly threatened and assaulted him and his men, who held their ground when the elder Binay ordered them to allow his and his son’s supporters to enter the city hall building.

The day after the standoff between Jamias and the Vice President, the mayor stepped down.

Jamias gave the police chiefs of Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and Marikina three months to show their worth or face relief.

He said he will continue the programs his predecessor had been implementing, such as the Oplan Lambat-Sibat anti-crime campaign and the back-to-basics patrol program of PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Wilson Caubat, who took over the EPD as officer-in-charge last Friday, returned to his post as EPD deputy chief for administration.