JDV: nothing to do with “petty” police matters
The sudden leaves of absences taken by police officers are being linked to the May 14 election.
But Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, police provincial director, is quick to clarify that the decision of his two police chiefs to go on leave two weeks ago were personal decisions and not imposed in connection with the election.
“They are not relieved, but only on leave,” Nerez told The PUNCH.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, Ilocos police director, said he also respects his men’s decision to go on leave particularly if they are suspected to have political biases.
“We in the PNP (Philippine National Police) do not allow our good names to be stained by accusations,” he said.
He said he supports the actions taken by Nerez to allow his two police chiefs to go on leave.
“I don’t see any problem there,” Bataoil said.
Superintendents Edgard Basbas and Leopoldo Rivera, police chiefs of Dagupan City and San Fabian town, respectively, are on sick leave and rumors are rife that they were compelled to do so following orders from House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
De Venecia, for his part, has denied this, saying he does not want to dip his fingers into “petty” police matters like the selection of police chiefs in his district.
He said he has been in politics for such a long time and he never meddled nor used his influence to remove or appoint police officials into position.
“Hindi ako nakikialam diyan (I don’t meddle with that),” De Venecia said.
Basbas told The PUNCH in a phone interview earlier that he will file for an extension of his sick leave after it expired Tuesday and the extension will depend on his commander.
No new police chiefs have been assigned to these two places. The deputy officers are in acting capacity as police chief, Nerez said.
In a related development, Police Inspector Bingo de Asis, the police chief of San Jacinto has been on study leave since January 25 and will finish his Officers’ Advanced Course in Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Laguna by the first week of May.
His wife, Romae, said the study leave is important for her husband’s upcoming promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector.
She said those trying to put political color into her husband’s leave should double check their information.—EVA
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