Local police officers could be sanctioned in Cebu town mayor’s slay — PNP

The provincial director and the chief of Cebu City Police could be sanctioned if authorities find lapses in their actions on the murder of Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco, a police official said on Wednesday.

“The oversight committee at the regional level will evaluate their subsequent action,” Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., Spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, said in a press briefing.

Blanco was shot dead by still unidentified assailants inside his office at the municipal hall past 1:30 a.m.

READ: Cebu town mayor shot dead

“If there are some lapses or inadequacy in their action, definitely, the axe will fall where it should,” Durana said.

According to Durana, the local police should have set up a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to investigate the killing, as he said: “it is something that they should throw themselves into, throw the resources and their energies into.”

“SITG agad (immediately). What’s the deadline? As soon as possible, that’s the deadline,” Durana said. “Automatic ‘yan (that’s automatic). If they haven’t done that, there may be some sanctions.”

Durana noted that PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde earlier ordered the local police to “closely coordinate” with local executives to ensure their safety.

“Now why did this incident happen? Sinunod ba ang direktiba ng Chief PNP? Kung hindi, again, there would be appropriate actions,” Durana said.

He stressed that the regional director of Central Visayas should also investigate if the Cebu City police exerted enough security efforts before Blanco was murdered.

Meanwhile, Durana also extended condolences from the PNP to the family of the slain mayor and assured justice will be served.

“Makakaasa po sila na hindi magpapahinga ang Philippine National Police (they can expect that the PNP will not rest) until we get into the bottom of this case and we bring the perpetrators in the bars of justice,” he said.   /vvp