By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — Due to the mauling of a police officer in Iloilo, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday ordered the withdrawal of deputation, as Napolcom representative, and the suspension of power of Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin for abuse of authority.
The Napolcom en banc, led by Interior and Local Government Secretary and chairman Eduardo Año, issued Resolution No. 2018-768, dated Dec. 28, 2018, which approved the withdrawal of the deputation of Garin.
This came after Garin pointed a gun at Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya without valid and legal justification, while his son Iloilo Rep. Richard Garin mauled the cop last December 26 at the Guimbal Public Plaza.
Lawyer Rogelio Casurao, Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer, said the utter disrespect to Macaya and the PNP as an institution by the Garins prompted the Office of the President to order the immediate investigation and filing of appropriate charges against the two officials.
He added that the Commission is convinced that Garin abused his authority as Napolcom deputy, which serves as a valid ground to suspend or withdraw his deputation under Section 65 of Republic Act No. 8551 or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.
Under the law, other grounds for withdrawal of deputation are frequent unauthorized absences, engaging in acts inimical to national security or which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign, and providing material support to criminal elements.
“The withdrawal of Mayor Garin’s authority as deputized representative of the Commission is the most prudent action that the Napolcom can take to ensure the credible and unbiased conduct of investigation on the mauling of PO3 Macaya,” Casurao said in a statement.
The Napolcom also ordered the suspension of the duties, obligations, powers and prerogatives vested upon Garin as deputized Napolcom representative.
Under the law, local chief executives are empowered to inspect police forces and units, conduct audit, and exercise other functions as may be authorized by the Commission.
