MANILA, Philippines — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday was still all praises for Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso despite his dismissal of nine Manila police officers who were linked to extortion of illegal vendors.
In a press conference on Monday, Moreno said the police officers were found to be connected with “organizers” who charge fees from vendors so they would be allowed to sell their in illegal areas.
READ: 9 Manila cops fired for allegedly collecting money from illegal vendors
Sought for a comment on the dismissal of the Manila police officers, Eleazar said he admires Moreno’s commitment and respects that the mayor has plans for the city.
The Manila Public Information Office identified those relieved as Lt. Col. Antonietto Eric Mendoza, Maj. Robinson Maranion, Maj. Alden Panganiban, Cpt. Jerry Garces, Cpt. Bernardino Venturina, Cpt. Manuel Calleja, Lt. Jerry Campo, Lt. Maricel Pili, and Lt. Maribel Casayuran.
“Ako’y humahanga kay Mayor Isko na yung kanyang commitment at determinasyon. Alam nya po ito ay tugmang-tugma sa gusto nating gawin. Kung matatandaan po natin, sa atin po dito ay isinulong natin ang malinis na presinto dahil ito ay maging kaaya-aya at magka-repleksyon ng malinis na pag-iisip at malinis na paglilingkod ng mga pulis. Ang ginagawa nya sa ka-Maynilaan napakaganda po noon na paglilinis,” Eleazar said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer.
“While it is true na ang pulis ang magsasagawa ng pagtatanggal dyan dahil yan ay sa aming hanay pero napakalaki ng ating respeto at kinukunsidera natin ang gustong mangyari ng ating mayor dahil tayo ay full support sa kanyang ginagawang paglilinis sa ka-Maynilaan,” the NCRPO chief added.
Eleazar also agreed that local police officers may have tolerated the presence of illegal vendors.
“‘Yung Divisoria, very challenging. Nalinis sa umaga pero yung mga illegal vendors sa gabi bumabalik daw. So alam nyo po ‘yan ka[ag yan ay bumabalik, in a way, ang dating nyan mayroong ina-allow so yun ang naisip ng ating mahal na mayor na yan ay kinukunsinte ng pulis na naka-assign dun,” Eleazar said.
Further, Eleazar noted that while the local police and the local government must work together, police operations in the communities depend heavily on the decision of local government officials.
“’Yan ang tandem dyan, mayor at chief of police. Pero laging sa mayor yan. Anumang bagay na mali — example maling illegal — kahit pa gustong gawin ng pulis ‘yan kung ayaw ni mayor di pwede ‘yan. On the other hand, kung ayaw ng pulis yang illegal na ‘yan at gusto ng mayor, papalitan ng mayor ang pulis,” Eleazar said.
“Eventually, in general, ‘yung local government executive ang talagang magbibigay ng kumpas ng takbo ng ating komunidad,” he added. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)