Pampanga's top cop on war path vs Panlilio
By JESS MALABANAN/ ABS-CBN News | 01/07/2009 4:56 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga - The chief of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office on Wednesday cried foul over Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio's statements that the police failed to do their duty after protesting truckers conducted an illegal rally outside the provincial capitol and even kicked open the governor's door.
Senior Superintendent Keith Ernald Singian, acting police director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, condemned Panlilio's statements that he and his men were inept and incompetent for failing to arrest the protesters.
"I don't want the public to think that we do not do our jobs as peacekeepers and law enforcers. We cannot just make arrests without basis," said Singian in a telephone interview.
"The police ought to adhere with the rule of law and not with the rule of men," he added.
In a statement released to reporters, Singian said he welcomed the recommendation of Panlilio seeking his removal as acting director of the Provincial Police Office as well as the ouster of San Fernando police chief Superintendent Benjamin Medina.
Panlilio earlier blamed Singian for breach of peace and security at the capitol last Monday. He said close to 100 protesters barged into the capitol building and kicked open the door to the governor's office to seek an audience with him.
He said the protesters backed down after seeing his security aides inside the office.
He said the protesters proceeded to the office of the provincial administrator, but the door was locked. Undaunted, the protesters also attacked two of Panlilio's nephews for trying to tear down streamers denouncing the governor.
"These are the very same streamers for which I filed charges against these rallyists. The very same streamers fow which I have instructed Col. Singian to put down, if not arrest the rallyists for violating the law. At the time my nephews were being beaten, some policemen [were] just a stone's throw away," Panlilio said in a statement.
Singian said that instead of blaming the police force, the governor should file a formal complaint against the protesters who stormed the capitol building.
He also questioned the security forces of the provincial capitol for their laxity and for allowing the protesters to reach the governor's office.
"They should remove the security detail at the capitol and put policemen there for their security and protection," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, said he did not received any official communication relative to the recommendation of Panlilio to unseat Singian.
Qualified police officers that are eyeing Singian's post are Senior Superintendent Pierre Bucsit, the city director of the Angeles City Police Office, Senior Superintendent Sonny Cunanan, and Senior Superintendent Nicanor Targa.
