Over rejection of cop chief choice, Rama eyes suit vs. PNP officials

CEBU, Philippines -  Rama was dismayed when reporters informed him yesterday that Romana has been assigned by Camp Crame to Negros Oriental.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo said Romana was designated as officer-in-charge of Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office since Sunday.

Garbo yesterday showed the memorandum from the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management Office of Camp Crame designating Romana to NOPPO.

Two weeks ago, Rama went to Camp Crame to personally ask Philippine National Police Director General Allan Purisima to appoint Romana as new director of the Cebu City Police Office.

Rama even went to Malacañang and sought the help of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa to ensure Romana's appointment to Cebu City after Camp Crame relieved Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Section 51 of Republic Act 6975 as amended by Section 63 of Republic Act 8551, otherwise known as the PNP Law, provides that the mayor has the authority to choose the chief of police from a list of at least five candidates recommended by the provincial or regional director.

Garbo has designated Senior Supt Mariano Natuel as OIC of CCPO.

The law also said "in no case shall an officer-in-charge be designated for more than 30 days" to his position.

Rama said Camp Crame should comply with the provisions of the law.

Buenafe personally recommended Romana to the mayor because the two officials were classmates at the police academy.

Garbo said Rama can inquire with Camp Crame on what happened to his request.

Garbo claimed that he had no idea why Camp Crame assigned Romana at NOPPO instead.

He disclosed that Camp Crame had listed down three or five names for Rama to choose from and Romana was included on the list.

Rama chose Romana and wrote Camp Crame back through Garbo.

"The Camp Crame suddenly put Romana in NOPPO. Wala na tayong magagawa doon," Garbo said.

The PRO-7 director said the reshuffling was made by the Commission on Elections as part of preparations to ensure a clean election in May.

Comelec also reshuffled police officials with relatives up to fourth degree of consanguinity running for electoral posts.

Under PRO-7, Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, was reassigned as executive officer of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Visayas.

He was replaced by Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the Regional Director Staff.

Senior Supt. Edward Carranza, the former provincial director of NOPPO also replaced Ualat.

Senior Supt. Primitivo Tabujara, Jr. from Cavite was reassigned as director of Siquijor Provincial Police Office, which was formerly headed by Supt. Glenn Ares. -/LPM (FREEMAN)