Take action against Garbo – Gwen to PNP Chief

CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has brought the alleged “unethical acts” committed by Police Regional Office 7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr. to the attention of the Philippine National Police hierarchy.

Garcia wrote to Police Director General Alan Purisimo last Monday and asked that action be taken against Garbo.

“I humbly pray that your good office shall take all necessary action lest Gen. Garbo create any more damage and trauma to my family and supporters for such attempts to commit a violation of my human rights and dignity, albeit unprovoked,” Garcia said.

Complaints were filed against Garbo before the Office of the Ombudsman in the wake of the tension at the Capitol after Garcia refused to step down even with the suspension order from the Office of the President.

Garcia informed Purisima that Garbo gave her an ultimatum to leave her office on or before December 31 or else, she will be removed by force.

“Imagine the indescribable fear and panic it created among my family, office staff and supporters who have been keeping vigil at the Governor’s Office where I stand firm to question an illegal suspension order before the proper forum,” said Garcia in her letter.

Garcia also reported the deployment of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team outside the Governor’s Office on the nights of December 22, December 30 and in the morning of January 5.

Garcia pointed out that Garbo’s threat is a violation of the Ethical Doctrine Manual for the PNP, specifically Chapter 3, Section 2.9.

It states that in the performance of duty, PNP members shall respect and protect human dignity and uphold the human rights of all persons. No member shall inflict, instigate or tolerate extra judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, any acts of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and shall not invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances such as state-of-war, a threat to national security, internal political instability or any public emergency as a justification for committing such human rights violations.

Garcia said that Garbo miserably failed in his duty to respect and protect human dignity and uphold the human rights of all persons.

“He has made known, not only in words, but also through the actions of his men, his undeniable intention to commit an inhuman and degrading treatment against me, not withstanding that I am the duly elected Governor of the Province of Cebu,” Garcia said

Garcia said that Garbo justified such threat with his perceived political instability in the Province and as a necessary course of action to implement the illegal suspension order against her which is in direct contravention of the foregoing provision.

“Needless to state, Gen. Garbo has only fuelled further the political tension already being felt in our Province,” Garcia added.

Garcia said that Cebu was a peaceful and orderly province until this happened and the tension that has wrapped Cebu never came from them.

“Do not underestimate the Cebuanos. We are a special people,” Garcia told Garbo.

Garbo, on the other hand, refused to comment on the said letter complaint.

Copies of Garcia’s letter were also sent to the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the office of the Commission on Human Rights in Cebu and Manila.— /MBG (FREEMAN)