Rama’s favored cop chief pulled out of region
THE police official favored by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to be the city’s next police chief may not get a chance to serve in that post at all.
Senior Supt. Noli Romana will be assigned to the Regional Personnel Accounting Unit of the Police Regional Office based on an order signed by Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 chief.
Romana, Negros Oriental provincial police chief, is reportedly under investigation in connection with illegal drug activities in the province.
Garbo said he would also recommend Romana’s transfer to Camp Crame.
Garbo earlier opposed Romana’s reassignment to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) saying Romana was a non-performer in the drive against illegal gambling and drug activities in Negros Oriental.
Mayor Rama said he was surprised with Romana’s reassignment.
“Why will he be reassigned outside of Region 7 when he was included in the list of nominees and I picked him?” he told reporters yesterday.
Garbo clarified that he wasn’t singling out Romana.
He said he also transferred another police official for his inaction against illegal gambling outside of Central Visayas.
In text messages sent to Cebu Daily News, Romana said he won’t comment on his transfer.
Two of his men were were earlier relieved of their posts after they were caught on video accepting bribe money from gambling lords.
“I don’t know if this will affect the choice of (Mayor) Rama but I am just doing my job and I requested Camp Crame (for the transfer),” Garbo told reporters.
The mayor said he would have Romana’s reassignment looked into.
“(Garbo cannot question me) because he does not know me from Adam. I just want to stand for what I believe is right. Not for anyone but in the name of public service,” Rama said.
Pending Romana’s fate, Rama said he wants a meeting with Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, acting city police chief and 200 officers and police personnel so he could explain to them his vision of peace and order in Cebu City. With Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac
