Roque Senarillos, chief of police, Sibonga, Cebu

The chief of police was no ordinary position in a town or city, it is the symbol of authority and law. The man who holds the position possessed power and is often the target of political struggle.

Roque Senarillos of Sibonga, the chief of police of Sibonga, Cebu was one of them, he was not spared of a political struggle resulting in a conflict between him, the town mayor and the council.

Senarillos was suspended by Mayor Epifanio S. Hermosisima, a lawyer and admitted to the Bar after World War II on October 10,1946. The ground for his suspension was based on the recommendation of a "Police Committee" that investigated Chief Senarillos on charges against him. The committee was composed of three (3) town councilors.

Senarillos protested the decision of the police committee signed on April 15, 1952, and appealed to the Civil Service on August 28, 1952. The civil service sided with the town council, this was also affirmed by the Civil Service Board of Appeals when Senarillos went up for appeal.

After the expiration of the suspension of Chief Senarillos, he was reinstated on May 25, 1952, a case of swindling was filed against him, which resulted to his suspension for the 3rd time.

The swindling case against Senarillos was dismissed on July 24, 1954. Chief Senarillos went to the Court of First Instance of Cebu (now Regional Trial Court). Judge Mejia of the Court of First Instance of Cebu issued a Writ of Mandamus (order to obey) compelling Mayor Epifanio S. Hermosisima to reinstate Chief Senarillos to his position. Judge Mejia ruled that the so called police committee's decision was null and void.

The Municipal Treasurer and Provincial Treasurer were ordered by Judge Mejia to pay Senarillos of salaries starting January 3, 1952.

Mayor Hermosisima, a lawyer, went to the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Ambrosio Padilla argued in behalf of the mayor and town council of Sibonga. Senarillos was assisted by a town mate, well known lawyer and journalist, Antonio Abad Tormis (a street in Sambag is named after him, and a marker along Borromeo St. at the place where he was assassinated). Tormis helped many policemen who were dismissed by the mayors and the city/town council.

The Supreme Court on December 14, 1956 ruled in favor of Chief Senarillos, saying that the police committee that investigated him has no jurisdiction over him, instead it should have been the entire council that should have heard and tried his case.

Mayor Hermosisima, who did not run for reelection was succeeded by Vidal T. Patalinghug from 1955 to 1963. Patalinghug was succeeded by Mayor Segundino S. Carillo, who was one of the longest serving mayors of the town, from 1963 to 1987. Carillo was only replaced when the Aquino Revolutionary Government in 1986 appointed Officer in Charge more known as OIC to replace those who were elected in the entire country. After the 1986 People Power Revolution, Bonifacio Bacaltos became mayor. Bacaltos was replaced by Nestor H. Ponce.