PAGADIAN
CITY-- The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has stripped Gov. Antonio
Cerilles of power to exercise direction and command over Zamboanga del Sur’s police
forces, validated information reaching The Philippine Preview said.
The
Napolcom-issued order, dated Oct. 30, was contained in a resolution signed by Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC Catalino Cuy and other commissioners.
Cerilles
name is with five other mayors from Southern Tagalog who were revoked of their
power to exercise control and supervision over their police forces due to their
alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
But
in Cerilles case, according to the Napolcom, it was due to their “receipt of a
confidential report outlining the abuse of authority.” It gave no detail on
what these abuses were.
In
his statement to the media, Cerilles presumed his firm stand against federalism
could be one of the primary reasons the Napolcom stripped him of his power over
the police.
Even
before the election, Cerilles has been outspoken with his position against federalism
saying it will cause a breakdown in the government.
In
a report by RMN-DxPR, it said that the governor’s camp plans to write a rejoinder
and send reproductions of awards received by the province declaring it as a
peaceful place in Mindanao.
It
also mentioned in its report posted in Facebook that another cause revealed by
the governor is his order to shut down quarry sites in several areas in the
province.
Last
May, hundreds of families depending on sand and gravel quarrying in at least
three towns in the province called on President Duterte to intervene, saying
they were going hungry after Cerilles closed quarrying sites in their area.
A
report then was released saying billions of pesos worth of government projects
had been suspended because of lack of sand and gravel as Cerilles stood determined
by his closure order, saying it was aimed at curbing illegal quarrying.
Several
anti-Cerilles told Philippine Preview such reason is “very meaningless.” (MICHAEL
MEDINA)
