CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas and his grandson, First District Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr., yesterday paid a courtesy call on Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño.
The Gullases took the opportunity to also express their full support to the police in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Eddiegul told Taliño that the support of Talisay City government to the police is unconditional despite the relief of his police chief, Superintendent Aileen Recla. He said he will continue the support to the new commander, Superintendent Emmerson Dante.
"Ang support akong gihatag ni Recla cannot be less akong ihatag ni Superintendent Emerson Dante," he said.
The mayor, however, asked Taliño why Recla was suddenly relieved when she was very active in the campaign against illegal drugs.
The regional director said it was upon the request of the Internal Affairs Service that Recla was relieved and ordered to report to Camp Crame to face investigation.
Aside from Recla, seven other officials and 20 non-commissioned officers or those who hold the rank of Police Officer 1 to Senior Police Officer 4 were also relieved.
Eddiegul expressed his concern to Taliño that the relief of Recla might be used by his political opponents against him.
"It's possible sa politika nahibaw bitaw mo sa politika dinhi sa Sugbo, its possible nga ang kaatbang namo moingon nga ang real nga drug lord dinha kanang mga Gullas… never," Eddiegul said.
The new Talisay City police chief said he was not aware of any report linking the Gullases to the illegal drug trade.
"Sa akin wala pa akong ano… pero siyempre ikinatatakot nila yung kalaban, siyempre politics yan eh. Kami trabaho lang, nandiyan kami to validate then to act ganun lang," he said. (FREEMAN)