Pampanga newsmen declare cop chief ‘persona non grata’

ANGELES CITY — The 56-year-old Pampanga Press Club (PPC) issued yesterday a resolution declaring this city’s police chief, Senior Superintendent Policarpio Segubre, persona non grata for what it claimed were his "acts of arrogance toward media and gross incompetence in the performance of his duties."

In its resolution, the PPC said Segubre’s alleged inefficiency has "exposed the city to a clear and present danger."

Segubre, a native of Iloilo, is alleged to be a protégé of presidential brother-in-law Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, although Segubre denied this in an earlier interview with The STAR.

The PPC members approved the resolution the other night, with president Ashley Manabat and secretary Rendy Isip signing it.

"A significant increase in crimes, ranging from petty theft and robbery to homicide, has been noted in Angeles City since the installation of Senior Superintendent Policarpio Segubre as city police director last February," the resolution stated.

"Criminal syndicates, particularly the ‘Acetylene gang,’ driven out of the city during the incumbency of the previous police director, have made an alarming comeback, along with cybersex crimes under Segubre," it added.

The PPC also claimed that "jueteng has likewise resurged in the city in the guise of bookies to EZ-2."

"On the standard of the one-strike policy of the Philippine National Police in matters pertaining to illegal gambling, Segubre should have long been sacked as Angeles city police director," the group said.

Upon learning about the resolution, Segubre called up members of the PPC to say that he respects the PPC’s right to come out with the resolution.

He cited his accomplishments, particularly in his drive against jueteng and video karera.

"When I was the police chief of Iloilo City, there never was jueteng during my term," he said.

Segubre said it was only during his term when video karera was totally wiped out in this city.

He apologized to the PPC members who ranted about his "arrogance" in dealing with them.

In its resolution, the PPC said, "The media exposés on the crime situation in the city and the apparent impotence of the city police to contain it have apparently enraged Segubre, resulting in acts of arrogance and high-handedness in his dealings with the media."

For his part, Segubre said, "During the times when some mediamen called me, I (was) in a hurry because I (was) in a meeting. It is also in my nature to talk in a staccato manner and I would like to apologize if I have offended the media."

The PPC exonerated City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin from the deficiencies of the police, saying, "The city mayor himself had to make a determined stand and act on the proliferation of video karera operations in the city before Segubre acted on his own."

In declaring Segubre persona non grata, the PPC called for his immediate relief as Angeles City police chief.

PPC members, particularly those who reside in this city, noted the lack of police visibility even during peak traffic hours and amid fraternity rumbles in public places.

They said the victims of cellphone and handbag snatchings often no longer report their ordeals to the police, believing that the culprits will not be caught anyway.

"I will take note of that," Segubre told The STAR.

Last week, Lapinid ordered a crackdown on video karera in this city by raiding the warehouse of a suspected gambling operator.

PPC members, however, have received reports that some local policemen continue to give protection to other forms of gambling such as sakla, a popular cards game.