By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to continue working hand-in-hand with the city mayors around the country to promote and preserve peace and order in the community.
“Our police are here for your protection and our citizens,” said PNP officer-in-charge Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar.
Eleazar, a former director of the National Capital Region (NCR) Police Office, made this statement in a recent first-ever online dialog between the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the PNP.
Initiated by LCP national president, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the dialog was particularly geared towards the matters and circumstances relating to the killing of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and to further enhance the collaboration between the police and the local chief executives.
“We demand swift and immediate justice for the orchestrated ambush of Mayor Aquino and we appeal to police authorities for a thorough investigation of his killing. We count on them to bring to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act and seek all witnesses that may provide clarity on the unfortunate incident,” read part of the LCP statement released on the same day of Aquino’s death on March 8.
This was followed by Leonardia’s request for a dialog with the PNP.
“The LCP president requested for an online dialog regarding the incident to discuss the progress of the investigation as well as to discuss measures to ensure that this will not happen again,” said Eleazar.
The March 8 shooting incident claimed the life of not only Aquino but also of two police officers from PNP-Samar, a policeman assigned to secure the mayor, the mayor’s driver, and a civilian. The mayor’s aide and another police officer were also wounded.
Police reports showed that Aquino, along with his aides, was bound for a resort to attend his son’s birthday party when the shooting happened. Seven policemen were involved.
Several matters were presented and discussed during the online dialog, including the facts of the case, the evidence collected, the summary of the statements of the personnel involved, extended efforts, and the initial findings. The dialog was, incidentally, conducted on the same day as Aquino’s funeral.
Leonardia again appealed for the speedy and thorough resolution of the case, “We are making this official appeal of the League of Cities of the Philippines to express our support to his widow and the family.”
Addressing Eleazar, Leonardia added: “We want to appeal for your support and cooperation on this. Rest assured, that the highlights of our meeting today – whatever messages you would like to deliver – will resonate down to every city mayor so that there will be awareness that indeed the PNP is our partner.”
Eleazar assured the LCP that the PNP is committed to resolving the case at the soonest time possible.
“We know our roles. We recognize your support to our units. This unfortunate incident should not affect our relationship and should not affect your trust [on us]. In fact, our 25th chief of PNP – General Debold Sinas – is focusing on this investigation. We are also thankful to the Department of Justice for giving instruction to the NBI to investigate,” Eleazar said.
He added: “In behalf of our chief, thank you LGUs. We will disseminate and give proper guidance to our commanders on the ground, particularly our chiefs of police and our city directors. Our police are here for your protection and our citizens.”
“This meeting is remarkably significant because in the end, this is supposed to be a partnership of the PNP and the local government units on peace and order and the welfare of our people. We look forward to a closer, harmonious, and productive relationship between our cities and the PNP,” Leonardia concluded. (With a report from PIO)
