Escape try delays command turnover

Is this any way to welcome the new police chief?

Yesterday’s oath-taking by Deputy Director General Arturo Lomibao as new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief was delayed after 10 Abu Sayyaf terrorists took 100 other inmates hostage at the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center (MMRC) in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Before the ceremony even began at 11:30 a.m., Malacañang had to cancel events, including the turnover of command at Camp Crame, where police troops were to hold a parade-in-review for outgoing PNP Director General Edgar Aglipay and Lomibao.

Finally after a 12-hour delay, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Lomibao took his oath of office before President Arroyo at the Music Room of Malacañang at around 10 p.m.

"General Lomibao can now formally assume his post after the oath-taking," Bunye said.

He also said the term of Aglipay officially ended at midnight last night, thus he was technically still PNP chief during the stand-off in Camp Bagong Diwa between the police and Abu Sayyaf inmates, and there was no gap in the police leadership.

Bunye said there was no doubt in the capabilities of Lomibao as he squashed speculations that the President was on the verge of withdrawing her appointment of the new PNP chief.

Lomibao was supposed to take his oath before the President at 3 p.m. yesterday.

In the meantime, Mrs. Arroyo ordered outgoing Aglipay to Camp Papa to oversee the hostage crisis, along with Metro Manila police commander Director Avelino Razon as the ground commander.

Lomibao, who flew by helicopter to Camp Papa at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, was also sent by Mrs. Arroyo as an "observer."

Meanwhile, retired police Deputy Director General Virtus Gil was sworn in last night as deputy national security adviser by Mrs. Arroyo at Malacañang.

Lomibao, 54, a 1972 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), was a young lieutenant and intelligence officer in 1976 when he led Constabulary troops in capturing New People’s Army chieftain Bernabe Buscayno, alias Commander Dante.

Lomibao is a PMA classmate of Armed Forces chief Gen. Efren Abu.

Before being named PNP chief, Lomibao was directorial staff chief, the fourth highest position in the command structure of the police force.

Lomibao was also intelligence director, criminal intelligence and detection group director, Ilocos-Pangasinan and Cordillera regional police director, human resource and doctrine deputy director, and PNP spokesman.

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, said yesterday Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes could be grilled at the Commission on Appointments today for "command responsibility" in yesterday’s hostage-taking at the MMRC.

"There were lapses, if not laxity on the part of the one securing the detainees, considering that (the Abu Sayyaf) are maximum security prisoners," he said.

"The guards should have taken enough precautions in handling them," he added.

Lacson said Reyes could be questioned about the hostage crisis because the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology –which has jurisdiction over the MMRC –is under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

"Nagkataon tomorrow nakasalang ang boss nila, DILG secretary, hindi ma-avoid ma-take up ang issue," he said, noting that Reyes’ grilling before the CA is scheduled today so the reported lapses would have to be explained. "Hindi ma-avoid na mag-explain siya kung paano nagkaroon ng lapses repeatedly."

On the other hand, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said the "concerned BJMP personnel" should be relieved of their posts pending investigation into the incident. — With Paolo Romero