Peaceful turn over of power in Tudela

CEBU, Philippines – Contrary to the fears of many, the implementation of the order of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the elected mayor of Tudela to assume office went without any incident.

Or so they say.

This as while Demetrio Granada peacefully left the town hall for Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo to assume office, there are allegations that some important documents are missing.

Sr. Supt. Jesus Gaquing, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said that there were no supporters of the two camps when they served the order for Granada to vacate.

He however said that he would check the allegations that there are missing documents.

Gaquing said that he will just wait for the inventory of the things inside the town hall before any investigation will be done.

The situation in the town of Tudela, which I one of four in the Island of Camotes, has been tense for several months due to the power struggle between Baquerfo and Granada.

Baquerfo was declared winner by the Comelec in the 2007 elections, but Granada was declared winner of the same polls by the Regional Trial Court in Danao City after a recount.

The two camps held fort at the old and new municipal buildings and the stalemate brought about a lot of confusion.

Yesterday, Baquerfo officially returned to his seat as mayor on order of the Comelec en banc upholding the results of the elections.

Baquerfo,upon his assumption yesterday, said that there are missing things from the town hall including some documents, which he alleged were burned.

Granada said that he would want Baquerfo to write him about the lost documents so he can also look into it.

Baquerfo has not however named any person as responsible but there are names that have been reported to be behind the loss of the documents.

Copies of these documents can however be obtained from the Commission on Audit.

Meanwhile, Gaquing said that there is no formal request from Baquerfo for a revamp of the town’s police force, which he reportedly asked for.

The police official said that this matter might even be resolved through a dialog.

For the meantime, elements from the Philippine National Police Special Reaction Unit are also in the town to augment the police force.

Gaquing said that the presence of the SRU will not be permanent as the personnel are only there as augmentation force. — AJ de la Torre and Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)