Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca has decided to seek for the replacement of the province’s police chief.

Padaca admitted that the decision to ask National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to have Senior Superintendent Jimmy Rivera relieved from his post was difficult.

She said however that she has decided and asked for her decision to be respected.

The Isabela governor explained that among the reasons he wanted Rivera replaced was the police official’s failure to establish good relations with local government officials in the province.

One of the officials who has openly criticized Rivera is Gamu Mayor Ando Cumigad. The town council of Gamu has reportedly even passed a resolution declaring Rivera as persona non grata in Gamu town.

River meanwhile said he respects Padaca’s decision. He said he is prepared to vacate his post once he is ordered by his superiors. He said however that Padaca’s request would still undergo processing in police headquarters.

He also explained that he became busy with many of the police’s activities in the province – the reason why he was not able to make courtesy calls to the province’s mayors during the three months and 27 days since he was appointed provincial director of Isabela.

Rivera said however that he did not expect Padaca to seek for his relief since, he said, she was the one who selected him to the post.

Meanwhile, a resolution reportedly signed by policemen from all police stations in Isabela expressed support for Rivera and at the same time slammed his impending relief. It also reportedly criticized Cumigad for alleged interference in police matters. From a report of Darlene Gemino, ABS-CBN News Cagayan Valley