LINGAYEN—Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Personnel and Record Management Catalino Cuy and Region 1 Director Ricardo Marquez expressed their optimism that the case filed by Governor Amado Espino Jr. seeking for preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order (TRO) against incumbent provincial director Senior Supt. Marlou Chan will be resolved “amicably”.

“We’re working together with the representatives of the Governor to resolve the issue amicably…very optimistic na mare-resolve natin ito,” said Cuy during the July 4 hearing at Branch 69 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Lingayen.

He added, “Win-win solution ang hinahanap natin…na ang mag-agree ang both parties. We’re trying to find the middle ground.”

The two top-ranking police officials, who are also impleaded in the case, said with the hearings on the case underway, the post has been declared “vacant” although Chan continues to carry out duties as provincial police director.

Marquez earlier also said an out-of-court settlement is “good for everybody.”

THE LAW

On the side of Espino, Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, provincial legal officer maintained, “The province of Pangasinan is not asking for much, we simply want to be assured that in this jurisdiction, we are still governed by law.”

“They have made their commitment to keep the process rolling…we hope that with the undertaking made by the two generals, that finally the provisions mandated by the law will be complied with,” she added.

Baniqued also said that the declaration of the provincial post as vacant “is a recognition that there is a process to be complied with…that we do not have a full-fledged PD in Pangasinan… however the thing which is quite difficult for us to understand is that although the position has been declared vacant Sr. Supt. . Chan continues to hold the position allegedly in a hold-over capacity, whatever that means.”

Further she said, “With the coming of the highest Human Resource Officer of the PNP, that is a very good sign that he recognizes the jurisdiction of the court and that they are amenable to comply with the court order.”

The case filed by Espino asserts that the appointment of Chan violates various laws and did not follow legal procedures.

SEARCH

Meanwhile, the police hierarchy has vowed to provide the governor with a list of three candidates from which he will choose the new police director.

“We will submit the names of the nominees sa National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM),” said Cuy citing the Senior Officers Board’s scheduled a meeting next week at the Camp Crame to come up with the shortlist.

Cuy, who was the signatory in the memo appointing Chan on a permanent capacity as Pangasinan director, explained, “That’s for the PNP consumption kasi ‘yong six months tour of duty, that’s considered one tour of duty…being that, it doesn’t prevent the PNP leadership or the local executive natin to replace the officer, hindi permanente yon… parang kunswelo sa mga nade-designate na officer na kahit ma-relieve sya after 5 or 6 months, at least nag-PD na sya, parang ganun.”

Cuy also explained that the turnover of command at the PNP Pangasinan Provincial Office from Chan to Senior Supt. Manuel Velasco has been “hold in abeyance” but may still push through.

“We hope na mapasama si PSSupt Velasco doon sa shortlist of three,” he added.- Johanne R. Macob

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