CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) refused the offer of Barangay Inayawan to relocate the site of the new police station, in exchange of giving up the donated lot across the barangay hall.
Senior Superintendent Royina Garma confirmed that Barangay Inayawan captain Kirk Bryan Repollo gave police alternative for a new lot. However, for Garma she described that the lot offered by Repollo to be less strategic as it is located in the interior portion of Inayawan.
“Itong binigay ng former barangay captain mas strategic ang location. Second, andiyan na ang pondo to be implemented this year. If we will go back to the process, it will take another two years to appropriate another fund, sayang ang panahon,” Garma said.
By strategic position she meant that the police station is visible and accessible to the public.
She said that if Repollo will continue to question the legality of the deed of donation, it would be a matter to take to court, while they proceed with the construction.
“Sabi ko it’s no longer our concern. Andiyan na yung papeles, may deed of donation tumatakbo na. Kailangan itayo na, meron siya sinasabi na lugar but ang present location, ay mas better,” she said.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas backed Garma and emphasized that the expected Inayawan police station will house the cops from Pardo police station.
“Have you visited station 7 (Pardo police station)? Squatter didto. Ang mga nadakpan, naglintambuwad, ang station naghimo makeshift jail. Karon naa na plano natapos na, naa na kwarta di pa musugot ang barangay captain kasi kaaway niya nagbigay. Sabi ko this had been done since the previous administration, lisod kaayo mangayo ko sa national office,” Sinas said.
Moreover, Garma said that the police hotline she initiated called "Itug-an ni CD" received anonymous tips from the barangay that there are illegal activities happening in the area.
She said that names were included and will be kept confidential upon further verification.
However, she has ordered the station commander to focus on the activities around the area.
Chief Inspector Regino Maramag also said that they are currently monitoring reports and the persons named.
He said that the community has been cooperative in their ongoing validation.
“Based sa investigation may positive na information, but nasa process pa kami ng case build-up. Di naman masyado, pero may illegal activities,” he said.
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, chairperson of Police Advisory Council, supports the construction of the Pardo Police Station satellite office in Barangay Inayawan.
“Me, as the chairperson of PAC, the PAC is pushing and supporting the move of the PRO-7 director and the Cebu City Police Office Director Garma to push through with the construction. It’s a long overdue project,” he told reporters yesterday.
Garganera sees the need to build the satellite office of Pardo Police Station to improve the police officers’ base.
Other than that, he doesn’t agree with Repollo’s statement that there is no resolution from the barangay council authorizing him to sign the Deed of Donation.
Garganera said he doesn’t see a “valid” reason why it should be stopped. In a barangay resolution dated February 6, 2017, the barangay authorized the barangay captain to sign the Deed of Donation to the Philippine National Police.
“RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, to authorize the Punong Barangay to sign the deed of donation to the Philippine National Police,” portion of the approved resolution reads.
“Akong gusto iklaro sa kapitan, unsa man gyud? Unsa man gyud ang tumong niya kay iyahang kuhaon ang maong luna kay maka-traffic, pero in the previous statement niya sa akong nabasahan, himoon niyang parking area para sa mga equipment. Which is which?” Garganera said.
The FREEMAN tried to get Repollo’s side to no avail as of press time.
Earlier, the city government issued a demolition order to clear the 'illegal structures' in the area due to the non-compliance with necessary permits. At present, Garganera has asked for reconsideration saying the satellite office is important for the police officers as far as peace and order is concerned.
Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said that Repollo is under the influence of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, that is why, the former is pushing for the stoppage of the construction of the satellite office.
“We should not blame the barangay captain and the barangay councilor. They are just really acting with the orders of the mayor. Kahibaw bitaw ta unsa’y relasyon karon og ang kapolisan,” he said. — GAN (FREEMAN)