Rama: Garbo violated law

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama said Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Marcelo Garbo violated the law when he did not answer the letter that the mayor sent him several weeks ago.

Rama asked Garbo to explain in writing why he assigned several policemen from the Regional Safety Battalion to man the Capitol compound during the implementation of the suspension order of Governor Gwen Garcia without informing the mayor.

The mayor said he has the operational supervision and control over the policemen in Cebu City to maintain peace and order and Garbo should have the courtesy to inform him if he wants to assign troops in the city who are not members of the Cebu City Police Office.

Section 5 (e) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees provides that government officials and employees should answer any communications sent to them within 15 working days from the receipt of the letters.

Rama said his letter asking Garbo to explain was sent to the latter’s office at the Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr., the police regional headquarters in Central Visayas.

But although Garbo violated the law, granting that he already received Rama’s letter, the mayor said he has no plans yet to initiate the legal action against the top police official in the region.

Rama already asked Camp Crame and Malacañang to replace Garbo from his post because of alleged abuse of his power.

The mayor was angry over Garbo’s move sending several uniformed policemen at the Capitol compound because it might only create a bad image for Cebu City.

Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Law defines the term ‘operational supervision and control’ given to the mayor as the power to direct, superintend, and oversee the day-to-day functions of police investigation of crime, crime prevention activities, and traffic control in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Napolcom.

The other powers of the mayor over their policemen include the “power to direct the employment and deployment of units or elements of the PNP, through the station commander, to ensure public safety and effective maintenance of peace and order within the locality.”  (FREEMAN)