Tom rejects cops pushed for Cebu City police chief

For the third time, Mayor Tomas Osmeña has turned down the five nominees endorsed by the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board for permanent city police director.

In his letter to PNP regional director Eduardo Gador dated March 21, Osmeña reiterated his preference for either Supt. Melvin Gayotin or Supt. Pablo Labra II as city director.

The five men that the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board endorsed to Osmeña were senior superintendents Elpidio De Asis Jr., Arnulfo Perez, Rolando Anonuevo, Elmer Soria and Alex Castro.

Since the assumption of Osmeña in 2001 until the present only Lani-o Nerez and Cecil Ezra Sandalo took the seat as permanent city police director. But they did not last long because the mayor expressed disappointment in their performance.

Both Nerez and Sandalo are senior superintendents, a rank required to be city police chief.

Nerez was replaced by Josephus Angan who was replaced by Sandalo before Gayotin came to office. Gayotin has been police chief in an acting capacity for more than two years now.

Because Gayotin and Labra do not have the required ranks, Osmeña asked the police headquarters to assist the two police officials to get their promotion to qualify for their position.

"We believe that both have contributed tremendously to the improvement of the peace and order situation of our city," Osmeña said in his letter to Gador.

In the meantime, Osmeña recommended to keep Gayotin in place until such time he or Labra will be promoted. - Garry B. Lao