CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City mayor-elect Edgardo Labella is satisfied with the performance of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Chief Royina Garma.
Garma will be leaving the police force to take over the position of general manager at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
“She did a good job where she is the chief of police here but she has to go because that’s promotion, that’s her own advancement. She deserves it. We are happy and somewhat sad because she will be leaving us,” said Labella.
She credited Garma for implementing programs at CCPO, including the strengthened anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The appointment of Garma was announced by President Rodrigo Duterte in a joint Philippine National Police-Armed Forces of the Philippines (PNP-AFP) command conference last month.
PCSO's former general manager Alexander Balutan, an ex-Marine officer, was fired in March by Duterte over allegations of corruption. The position is currently being held by Anselmo Simeon Pinili, PCSO's current chair, who is also a former police superintendent.
Garma will assume the new post in July.
Garma is still eligible to serve for 10 more years in the PNP, but has availed of an early retirement to join the PCSO, ending a 24-year career in the police organization.
She assumed as CCPO director in July last year.
Garma didn’t get along with outgoing city Mayor Tomas Osmeña that saw the two camps trading legal charges.
The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas is already preparing a list of police officials who will be considered as candidates to replace Garma. The list will be submitted to Camp Crame.
Labella said he has someone in mind that he wants to fill Garma’s position. The mayor-elect though refused to reveal the official’s name.
He said the cop has not been assigned in Cebu.
“Wala pa officially but I’ve read some names in the media but you know you cannot just simply decide right away, you have to go over all the curriculum vitae, their bio data and make some verifications especially from the areas where they once serve as chief of police or whatever position,” he said.
Labella stressed that he does not want a CCPO director who is a “sitting duck.”
“I expect (Garma’s replacement would) always uphold the rule of law…should be relentless on this fight against criminality and relentless on the fight of illegal drugs,” he said. (FREEMAN)