MANILA, Philippines — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday said he will be ordering an investigation on Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro for allegedly withholding local government support to the city police.
“I will have this investigated and require the Mayor to explain his actions. If it is true, what he has done would have serious implications in the peace and order functions of our police officers in Marikina City,” he told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
Teodoro is being accused of withholding the city police its gasoline supply, not providing ordinance violation receipts, and even allegedly ordering to take down National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) hotline number tarpaulins in the city.
READ: Marikina City Mayor slammed for not supporting cops
Teodoro, according to Año, may be stripped of his authority over the city police “at the minimum.”
“We’ll see what other sanctions may be applied,” Año said.
The issue against Teodoro surfaced after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde revealed on Monday in Camp Crame that a mayor covered by the Eastern Police District resorted to “childish acts” after not being informed that the chief of police in the city was assigned to another post and that a new acting chief will be installed.
READ: PNP chief hits ‘childish acts’ of NCR mayor for not supporting cops
Both NCRPO director Major Guillermo Eleazar and acting Marikina City police chief Col. Redrico Maranan later confirmed Albayalde was referring to Teodoro.
Teodoro has denied the accusations against him, and clarified that he was not withdrawing support to the city police.
He also urged the PNP to first validate any information they are receiving about him. /muf
READ: Marikina City Mayor says PNP accusation ‘unfair, ridiculous’