By CHITO A. CHAVEZ
A governor as with some 18 mayors were rid of supervision and operational control over police in their respective areas supposedly for being among prime players in the illegal drug trade.
In the resolutions signed by Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge (OIC) and Napolcom chairman Catalino Cuy, those stripped of their police powers were identified as Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles; Sinacaban, Misamis Oriental Mayor Crisinciano Mahilac; Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental Mayor Michael Gutierrez; Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental Mayor Donjie Animas; Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental Mayor Jason Almonte; Concepcion, Misamis Occidental Mayor Juanidy Viña; Calamba, Misamis Occidental Mayor Ezel Villanueva; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte Mayor Ferdinand Aguinaldo; Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Andres Lacson; Angeles, Pampanga Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan; Subic, Zambales Mayor Jefferson Khonghun; Camiling, Tarlac Mayor Erlon Agustin; Ronda, Cebu Mayor Mariano Blanco; Santo Niño, South Cotabato Mayor Pablo Matinong Jr.; Libungan, North Cotabato Mayor Christopher Cuan; Banga, South Cotabato Mayor Albert Palencia; Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Leonida Angcap; El Nido, Palawan Mayor Niever Cabunalda-Rosento and Bataraza, Palawan Mayor Abraham Ibba.
Former Lugait, Misamis Oriental Mayor Wellie Lim was also included in the list having been still serving his constituents when the commission drafted the resolution.
The other signatories of the resolution were Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rogelio Casurao; and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Felizardo Serapio Jr., Job Mangete, and Zenonida Brosas.
The order was already served by the Napolcom to the officials through their respective offices.
Earlier, the commission made a similar move against Lemery, Batangas Mayor Eulalio Alilio; Teresa, Rizal Mayor Raul Palino; Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili; Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Cecilio Hernandez; and San Pablo Mayor Loreto Amante.
“Based on the consistent pronouncements made by our Chief Executive President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs, the involvement of a local chief executive in illegal drug activity constitutes an act inimical to national security,” the resolution noted.
The resolutions further stated the alleged involvement in illegal drugs of the local officials negated the effectiveness of the government’s peace and order campaign and thus serves as a valid ground for suspension or withdrawal of their deputation as Napolcom representatives.