Immigration officials peacefully end rivalry

CEBU - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has terminated its investigation into the leadership squabble at the Bureau of Immigration in Central Visayas after the two parties involved in the controversy agreed to amicably settle their differences.

In yesterday’s clarificatory conference, acting regional director Romeo “Butch” Junia and former alien control officer Reynaldo Almaden agreed to set aside whatever differences they have in the past now that they are no longer holding the same office at the immigration bureau.

After snubbing each other for a considerable length of time, Junia and Almaden finally greeted each other in a more cordial manner yesterday before acting Ombudsman director Carla Tanco, who presided over the conference.

The conference was called because of the complaint filed by Almaden against Junia claiming that the latter has usurped his authority. Almaden earlier alleged that Junia has been issuing memoranda without his authority being the regional director.

He claimed that Junia has no power to intervene in the operation of the bureau because he was only a detailed officer. This issue was put to rest yesterday.

Tanco said the apparent miscommunication and overlapping of functions between the two officials have already been addressed. She said it was the right decision of the management to reassign one of the two to defuse the tension.

“Cleared na, it was just an internal matter,” Tanco said, herself believing that the tension was defused by Almaden’s reassignment to Caloocan City. – Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)