Lady WPD-CDM chief under fire

Trouble brewing among policewomen of the Western Police District (WPD) culminated in a "shouting match" last Friday between their chief and her subordinates, though it was prevented from further deteriorating when other ranking police officials intervened.

Members of the female contingent of the Civilian Disturbance Management (CDM) of the WPD were reportedly up in arms against their boss, Chief Inspector Evangeline Candia, over the way she is treating them, prompting them to challenge her authority.

Reports show that in at least one case Candia asked a subordinate to produce a roasted pig for her, and when the latter failed, she was transfered to another post. The request for a roasted pig, which usually costs no less than P1,500, is common among policemen as a "goodwill" gift.

In another allegation, Candia reportedly has a habit of shouting at her people at the slightest provocation. Candia used to be the head of the Inspectorate Division of the WPD.

Candia’s subordinates are also reportedly complaining that the official transfers her personnel at whim.

Candia was not available for comment on the charges as her office was closed yesterday.

According to reports, the shouting match erupted at the WPD Rizal Hall conference room on the second floor of WPD headquarters during a meeting.

The shouting was reportedly quelled when Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco, Jr., whose office is just nearby, stepped in and separated the quarreling policewomen. Franco, too, was not in his office yesterday.

The female CDM members are those whose pictures appear in newspapers standing on the frontline during protest rallies. Although a handful in number and borrowed only from their respective mother units during rallies, the women CDM proved effective in preventing aggressive acts by protesters.

It could not be determined if WPD director Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr. is aware of the incident.