Tom drops bomb prior to patch-up: Rama intervened in drug operation

CEBU, Philippines - It appears that Vice Mayor Michael Rama may have intervened in a police operation last November at the home of drug suspect, according to information made available only yesterday by no less than Mayor Tomas Osmeña Himself.

Rama quickly denied the allegation.

This latest tirade came hours before a last-ditch effort to patch up the differences between the two leaders appeared to have succeeded late last night, with Osmeña saying he was giving Rama a second chance.

But before the seeming reconciliation, Osmeña, speaking at yesterday’s general assembly of the Association of Barangay Councils at the South Road Properties, said the intervention of Rama in a police operation was one of the reasons for his growing frustrations over the performance of his vice mayor.

Osmeña spoke for about 30 minutes before the city’s barangay officials, outlining his visions for the city but often digressing into discussions of Rama’s brand of leadership.

The mayor, who is suffering from cancer of the urinary bladder and just got back from chemotherapy sessions in the United States, said the poor performance of Rama was one of the reasons why he is reluctant to leave the city in his care, considering that he is to leave for the US again later this month for surgery to remove the stricken bladder.

“I really have serious concerns regarding his sense of judgment. It makes me very reluctant,” Osmeña said.

To stress his point, Osmeña narrated the incident in which Rama allegedly intervened in a police operation in barangay Sambag II last November 27.

Osmeña said a group of policemen led by Superintendent Jonathan Abella was responding to a tip about illegal video karera operations in Sambag II when shots fired in their direction suddenly rang out.

The shots, Osmeña said, came from the house of a suspected drug pusher, prompting Abella to call in the SWAT for backup.

“When the SWAT arrived and entered the house, a man emerged with a cellphone and handed it to Abella. It was the vice mayor asking them what was going on, and telling them to get out of there. So walay nabuhat ang pulis (the police were not able to do anything),” Osmeña said.

Abella, interviewed by reporters, confirmed it was Rama on the other end.

He said Rama mistook them for PDEA agents and so told them to secure a warrant first before arresting the man they were after, a certain “Tata Negro.” Abella said he felt that Rama was misinformed about the operation so he told the vice mayor that they were going after the man who fired at them.

Rama, Osmeña said, wants to make friends with everybody and it demoralizes the police.

“Friends siya sa tanan, apil ang masiao operators, ang video karera, apil sad ang sex pervert. They will all vote for him, no need to campaign,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña clarified to the barangay officials that he is merely explaining to the reasons why he cannot take certain actions of Rama

He went on to say that Rama issued a public statement about being friends with Jonah John Rodriguez whom who tormented his wife Margot with nasty text messages.

“I’m issuing a public warning to him, do not interfere with police operations,” he said.

Abella said he did not expect Rama would be on the other end of the phone, but intimated that the vice mayor and the suspect knew each other.

In fact, the police officer said, the vice mayor was seen playing basketball with some friends of the suspect the day before the police operation.

Rama insists Osmeña was merely misinformed.

He said he received a call from Mark Tallo, his basketball buddy, that an incident was causing tension in the barangay and there were fears a shootout may happen anytime.

So Rama said he called Abella. “I asked Abella if they have a warrant kay lisod na, we have a lot of unsolved killings and I don’t want any killing to happen,” Rama said.

He said illegal activities are not included in the reputation of the Rama’s.

Rama was expected to meet Osmeña last night in a bid to iron their difference. (/JST)(THE FREEMAN)