Rama supports promotion for Capa

CEBU, Philippines - As much as he wants Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa to remain at the helm of the Cebu City Police Office, Mayor Michael Rama said he is not against any promotions that might be given to the police official.

“I want Capa to be my chief of police. But, ka Capa na na (decision). I don’t want to be a hindrance to his promotion. But if he intends (to stay) and he would be available of course,” Rama told reporters yesterday.

Police Regional Office–7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas had said Capa should be given the chance to get a higher rank. This after Rama said that he wants Capa to stay as director of the CCPO.

Since last year, Capa has been the officer-in-charge of the CCPO and, at the same time, the deputy director for operations of PRO–7.

“That is the prero-gative of the Mayor to say that and he can make recommendations but let us not deprive him (Capa) of that chance,” Bañas said.

Rama has commended Capa’s performance as acting CCPO director.

“Kanindot ra anang taw nga isog. Niya kahibaw mobarug, niya naay klaro kaayo (plans),” Rama said.

He recalled that during last Sinulog, he witnessed Capa’s dedication to secure the city.

“Di to lalim ang Sinulog, you know what was going on didto sa Mango Avenue nga kami wala’y tulog-tulog. Kuyaw kaayo, niya kalma nga taw si Capa, niya dili siya matog. Nakakita ko sa character ni Capa, very dedicated, way biyaay ba, nindot nga kinaiya ba,” Rama elaborated.

Bañas himself acknowledged Capa’s good performance.

“It just shows that talagang maganda ang performance ni Capa sa Cebu City and I would like to commend him for a job well done,” he said.

Capa expressed gratitude to Rama and promised to work hard as CCPO acting director.

“I’ll just work, trabaho lang. At the end of the day, the PNP will decide on my fate,” he said.

Rama said that on Monday, he is going to Manila and will try to find a way to visit the PNP office to inquire on Capa’s status.

Meanwhile, Capa supports the call of Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina for President Aquino to appoint a fulltime PNP chief.

Espina took over as the OIC of PNP after PNP director general Alan Purisima was suspended on December 4 last year over graft charges. On Thursday, Purisima had tendered his resignation.

Capa cited that Espina, being the OIC, cannot effectively function since his power over the entire PNP operations is limited.

Espina’s limited functions could affect the designation and promotion of police officials, among others, Capa said.

He particularly cited that for the CCPO, there has been a delay in the appointment of city police director since Espina cannot designate police officials for a permanent status.

He said that the position for CCPO director has been declared vacant for now.

Despite his responsibilities at PRO-7 and at the CCPO, Capa was able to manage his responsibilities in both offices.

He noted that the appointment of a permanent replacement for the PNP chief could help ease the chain of command especially among the lower units.

“We need to have that. That has to be clear. It goes down the line,” he said.

Capa, however, clarified that despite the unsettled leadership at the national headquarters which he said should be resolved soon, the lower operating units are still doing their jobs normally regardless of the status of their PNP chief.

“We still function. We will not be affected. Our daily operation goes on. It’s not like we will not do anything because of leadership issues,” he said. — Mechelle P. Florita and Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/ATO (FREEMAN)