P’sinan mayors protest relief of police chiefs over jueteng

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan — The mayors of San Carlos City and four municipalities have raised a howl over the relief of their police chiefs for supposedly failing to stop jueteng in their respective turfs.

Sacked by Chief Superintendent Claudio Cabreros, Region 1 (Ilocos) police director, were Superintendent Rolando Diaz and Chief Inspectors Harris Fama, Jerich Royales, Romulo Doral and Genaro Sapiera, police chiefs of San Carlos City and the towns of Mangaldan, Pozorrubio, Manaoag and San Fabian, respectively.

"I feel that they were not following the order (to stop jueteng). There is an order, they should follow it," he said.

"We have been telling them time and again that they should stop jueteng," he added.

But the mayors concerned said Cabreros’ action was "unfair," adding that the illegal numbers game has stopped in their respective areas.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League, said he will call a meeting next week to discuss the matter.

"There’s no justification. I learned it was only based on text messages and radio reports. There was no raid conducted in my city," said San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello.

"You cannot (make a) decision without solid proof," he added.

Cabreros said his action was based on the monitoring by the regional intelligence unit, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and other units.

Senior Superintendent Mario Sandiego, provincial police director, said he felt sad about the relief of the five police chiefs, adding though that he had to carry out Cabreros’ order.

"But I have the obligation to protect the interest of my men. I’m the first one to help them if they are unjustly treated," he said.

Sandiego said he was not questioning Cabreros’ action but just relaying the sentiments of his men who, he admitted, now have low morale.

For his part, Fama said, "Of course, I was also hurt because I was removed just because of that, despite my various accomplishments."