Board threatens drastic action on Chan case
LINGAYEN—Frustrated by the seemingly slow process of appointing a replacement for Sr. Supt. Marlou Chan, the province’s police chief, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed a resolution anew last week calling on the National Police Commission through Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, to immediately act on the matter.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr, the SP presiding officer, said if the Napolcom does not take action on the resolution, “then we do more drastic action”.
Calimlim did not expound on what concrete steps they intend to take.
Though approved by the majority, several board members were skeptic on the effect of the resolution authored by 6th District Board Member Ranjit Shahani.
STEP DOWN
After the resolution was passed, 2nd District Board Member Raul Sison delivered a privilege speech urging Chan to voluntarily step down.
Sison said Chan is clinging to his position, which compromises delivery of services to Pangasinenses.
He cited as an example when Typhoon Labuyo hit the province and Chan did not coordinate his activities with the provincial government.
“Colonel Chan, have pity on Pangasinenses. Please step down now and don’t wait until your relief order comes,” Sison said.
Chan has previously asserted that he is merely following orders from the police chain of command.
On June 15, 2013, Chan was ready to be relieved from his post and the turnover ceremonies were set at the provincial police office, but a call from a still unnamed official a few minutes before the program prompted a cancellation.
When The PUNCH relayed to Chan the provincial board’s latest resolution against him, he declined to comment.
OBJECTIONS
Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. objected to the resolution saying “this is just an exercise in futility”.
He said Roxas was furnished copies of two previous resolutions approved by the provincial board both aimed at removing Chan, including one declaring him persona non grata.
“He (Roxas) will just dump this next resolution in the trash can,” said Bince.
“I think ang problema ay hindi si Police Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, ang problema ay si Sec. Mar Roxas,” he added.
Fourth district Board Member Mojamito Libunao Jr., meanwhile, said the resolution should have been addressed to Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima, not to Roxas.
Purisima submitted three nominees as provincial director of Pangasinan, namely: Senior Supts. Mariel Mangaway, Ferdinand Divina and Valeriano de Leon.
There is a pending case in court filed by the governor calling for the removal of Chan from his post.—Eva Vispera and Johanne R. Macob
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