Negros mayor stripped of police power

Bacolod City ,Philippines  – A mayor of a Negros Occidental city was stripped of his police power by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) due to his alleged close association with the New People’s Army and the reported extra-judicial killings in his city.

The Napolcom headed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, suspended the administrative control and operational supervision of Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap over the city’s police station, in a memorandum dated July 15.

Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental provincial police director, however, said Friday night the Napolcom order has yet to be implemented, pending the issuance of the implementing guidelines from Region 6 police director Chief Superintendent Cipriano Querol.

Yap, had since denied the allegations against him, adding that he could be the first mayor stripped of police powers. He also lamented that he was not given the opportunity to air his side.

The Napolcom resolution cited allegations that Yap “provided material support to criminal elements” and “engaged in acts inimical to national security which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.”

The resolution said a report that Yap has “close association” with the local communist group is inimical to the best interest of the people of Escalante City and negates the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign of the community.

“The acts of supporting criminal elements and or rebellious groups, if tolerated, will frustrate the ultimate objective of the government of providing peace and stability to the local community,” it said.