Pasig mayor’s control over police suspended

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) ordered yesterday the immediate suspension of Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio’s control over the local police force due to the "unwarranted and illegal" dismantling of shanties at the shabu "market" in Barangay Sto. Tomas last Feb. 15.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and concurrent Napolcom Chairman Ronaldo Puno said the commission en banc approved a resolution withdrawing the local chief executive’s deputation pursuant to the PNP Law.

"The approval of the resolution was made after the commission concurred with the recommendations of Napolcom—NCR Director Romeo Ustaris," Puno announced yesterday.

Police drugbusters raided the Mapayapa compound on Feb. 10 after confirming that shanties there were selling shabu and renting space for users.

Eusebio is being stripped of his control over Pasig policemen after he allegedly committed abuse of authority by prematurely destroying the shanties without letting the police finish their investigation and gathering of evidence.

Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer Imelda Roces said the commission conducted its own probe to determine the possible accountability of the chief local executive in performing his duty as a deputized Napolcom representative.

She said the commission eventually ruled that the mayor’s action falls within the ambit of Presidential Decree 1829, which penalizes acts of "altering, destroying, suppressing or concealing any paper, record, document or object, with intent to impair its verity, authenticity, legibility, availability or admissibility as evidence in any investigation or of official proceedings in, criminal case, or to be used in the investigation of, or official proceedings in, criminal cases."

"The Napolcom is fully convinced that the immediate destruction of the shanties was unwarranted and illegal as the same would be used as evidence in prosecuting the apprehended suspected drug users and maintainers of drug dens," Roces said. "We therefore rule that the act of Mayor Eusebio constitutes an abuse of authority and an act which negates the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign of the government."

Meanwhile, Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Charlemagne Alejandrino urged Eusebio "to continue supporting the Pasig City police.

Alejandrino is confident that Eusebio would honor his earlier pledge for financial and logistical support despite Napolcom’s decision to to take away his power to deploy and supervise police.

"Sana hindi niya ihinto," he said. "Mga constituents din niya and karamihan sa mga pulis Pasig."