Caloocan City police chief relieved

Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango, Northern Police District (NPD) chief, officially sacked the Caloocan City police chief yesterday, four days into the election period, with the installation of a new officer-in-charge in brief ceremonies at the city police headquarters.

Unceremoniously relieved after only nine months in his post, Senior Superintendent Geronimo Reside was replaced by Superintendent William Macavinta, a former provincial police of Aklan in Western Visayas, as officer-in-charge.

While the official line for Reside’s sudden relief was for some vague plans of higher headquarters to promote him, the former police chief claimed he was "utterly clueless" and was, in fact, genuinely surprised about the "lightning strike."

"For what reason (I was relieved), I don’t know," said Reside, claiming that the order from Tango was antedated. Tango said Reside’s relief was effective Jan. 12 yet.

Reside told The STAR he only learned about the order last Tuesday. He said he received the faxed order from Tango at around 4:30 p.m. and began packing his things shortly after. Reside said he is on floating status in the office of the NPD director.

At around 8:30 a.m. yesterday shortly before Tango and Macavinta arrived at the police station for the installation rites, a sullen-looking Reside left the police headquarters alone in his car.

Local political observers said Reside’s sacking appeared to be a move to get around the election ban on transfers or dismissal or any movement of government personnel during the election period.

Tango denied it had something to do with politics. He also said it had nothing to do with allegations Reside was yanked out because of a spate of crimes in Caloocan.

"Maybe there are other plans for him to occupy a higher position," Tango told The STAR. He added that many of Reside’s former classmates in the Philippine Military Academy are already occupying positions that required officers with the rank of chief, the equivalent of a one-star general in the military. Reside is yet to receive his first star.

Tango also denied any further plans to remove other chiefs of police in the northern Metro Manila or Camanava area, which comprises Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Amid accusations of weak leadership and failing to curb rising crime in his area of responsibility, Reside said that was nothing new. "That’s just an excuse to hide the true reason. And I’m used to it. That’s how it is in the police."

Reside, however, emphasized that he has no ill feelings. "I don’t want any trouble. I was given the order. I accepted. (Tango) said there will be no turnover ceremonies, so I left before they came."

Macavinta, for his part, said he has no problems with Reside and assumed the former’s post simply because he has to follow orders. — With Pete Laud