Garbo orders Romana’s Relief

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly failing to curb illegal gambling in the province of Negros Oriental, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo ordered the immediate relief of the provincial director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama questioned the timing of the relief of Negros Oriental Provincial Police Chief Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, whom the mayor endorsed to be the next Cebu City police chief.

Garbo signed the order for Romana’s relief yesterday morning. Romana will be transferred to the Regional Police Holding Unit (RPHU)-7 pending approval of Garbo’s request for Camp Crame to assign Romana to another province.

Romana’s relief could affect Rama’s endorsement for him to be the director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to replace Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr.

The appointment of whoever will sit as new CCPO director is still pending in the Camp Crame and Natu-el continues as the city police director.

“I don’t know if this will affect the choice of (Mayor) Rama pero ako I am just doing my job and I requested the Camp Crame for the issuance of his order,” Garbo said in a press conference.

Garbo has relieved Romana following the involvement of his two personnel, SPO1 Somaza Vilan and SPO2 Edwin Pineda, in illegal gambling in the province of Negros Oriental.

This is the second time that Garbo has ordered the relief of a provincial director because of illegal gambling.

First was Siquijor Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Ernesto Agas, who is now in Camp Crame. Sr. Supt. Primitivo Tabujara now heads the Siquijor police.

Garbo said Sr. Supt. Alet Virtucio is now the acting provincial director of Negros police.

“We are sending a strong warning to everyone na wala kaming sinisino sa illegal gambling dahil marching order ‘yan of the DILG,” the Provincial Director lamented.

Rama questioned the timing of Romana’s relief, calling it a bad move.

“I want to check why they included Romana among the listed five candidates for chief of police endorsed by them and now they want him removed from region seven?” Rama yesterday told reporters.

He added that he wants Garbo to be enlightened and to follow the rule of law.

“I wish they will be thinking well,” Rama said.

He announced he will be meeting with 200 PNP personnel on Monday. “After the flag ceremony next week, I will meet with not just officials but ordinary personnel as well. From high to low ranks,” he said.

He added that he will be discussing his administration’s direction as far as peace and order is concerned. “It will be an expanded discussion since it includes items I mentioned at the inaugural address,” Rama said. — /JPM (FREEMAN)