Police on full alert for Padaca oathtaking

ILAGAN, Isabela — Police will be on full alert as incoming Isabela governor Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca officially takes over the helm of the provincial government this week, ending a political dynasty that ruled this country’s second biggest province for more than three decades.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, newly installed provincial police director, said precautionary measures are in place to ensure a peaceful and orderly turnover of the reins of the provincial government on June 30.

Estilles, who replaced Senior Superintendent Nelson Nario at the height of the political standoff here, said the police and military are ready to quell any attempt to derail or disrupt Padaca’s oathtaking.

"I want to assure the public that security precautions are in place to ensure that no untoward incidents will take place before, during and after the inauguration of the (new) governor," he said.

Police gave the assurance to allay fears that groups sympathetic to outgoing Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. might attempt to disrupt Padaca’s oathtaking.

"The police will not allow any attempt of destabilization against the (new provincial administration) to prosper," said Estilles, former regional police intelligence chief based in Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Following President Arroyo’s call for austere oathtaking rites, Padaca said hers will be very simple.

Padaca’s inauguration, to be highlighted by a concelebrated Mass, will be held in front of the Capitol here on the morning of June 30.

Catholic Bishop Sergio Utleg of the Diocese of Ilagan and Aglipayan Bishop Eulogio Pandongan, two of the convenors of the Isabela United Opposition which backed Padaca’s candidacy, will concelebrate the thanksgiving Mass.

After the inaugural rites, Padaca, a polio victim who walks with crutches, will proceed to the governor’s office at the second floor of the Capitol to meet with the heads of the different provincial offices, in her first official act.

The Dys had held the governorship of this country’s major rice-producing province for more than three decades, starting with the family patriarch, the late Faustino Sr., Isabela’s longest serving governor, and later two of his sons, Benjamin Sr. and Faustino Jr., whom Padaca trounced in the recent elections.

Despite losing the governorship, the Dys still wield considerable political influence here as three Dys have retained their positions, namely, third district Rep. Faustino Dy III, Cauayan City Mayor Caesar Dy and Alicia Mayor Napoleon Dy.