MANILA, Philippines – At least four police generals in active service were seen in the company of men identified with Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas in an Araneta-owned compound in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.
The four were Director Generoso Cerbo Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directorate for intelligence, and Chief Supts. Renier Idio, Bernardo Diaz and Ronald Santos.
Idio is the regional director of the Cagayan Valley police, Diaz of the Western Visayas police and Santos is deputy regional director for administration of the Southern Tagalog police.
The generals were seen with retired PNP deputy director general Marcelo Garbo Jr. at the Gourmet Bar of the Novotel located at Araneta Center. They were in civilian clothes.
A group of journalists from Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao was at the same hotel since Thursday for a seminar organized by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).
The journalists are billeted in the hotel until today. They chatted with Garbo, who is supporting Roxas’ presidential bid.
Garbo was a contender for the PNP top post, but President Aquino appointed PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez.
“He was the only DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) secretary who did not make money out of the PNP. He practically spent more hours with the PNP trying to address crime situation by leading the Lambat Sibat meeting at the PNP national headquarters,” Garbo said, referring to Roxas.
Before the journalists proceeded to their seminar venue, Garbo told them he was at the hotel for a workshop.
When they took a break at around 10 a.m., they spotted Garbo in another function room located across the CMFR seminar venue.
A Mindanao-based journalist said she accidentally opened the door of the room and saw some familiar faces, including retired Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo of the Western Mindanao Command.
The journalist said a woman by the door told her the meeting was confidential.
“I’ve become more intrigued upon hearing that,” she said.
A male television reporter said he saw Thea Reyes, a staff of Roxas, in the room. He said he heard Reyes ask, “Bakit may nagpi-picture? (why is someone taking pictures?)”
During lunch break, The STAR saw Garbo and asked him about his supposed meeting with the police generals.
“I am now a civilian and wala akong kailangang ipaliwanag (I don’t need to explain anything),” Garbo, who retired from the police service on March 2, told The STAR.