Lady cop relieved after run-in with reporters

The policewoman who had a run-in with media reporters was relieved from her post.

Insp. Maria Teresa Gutierrez was relieved as chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Minglanilla Police Office. She was moved to the Police Community Relation (PCR) of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).

Gutierrez argued with four reporters who went to the Minglanilla police precinct to follow up a rape case last May 17.

The incident had something to do with Gutierrez’s relief, said Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, chief of PRO-7.

Garbo said the relief was made to maintain the good relationship between the police and media.

Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, PRO-7 chief directorial staff, said the relief order came last Monday but Gutierrez was only informed last Thursday.

Garbo said Gutierrez will have a chance to learn how to deal with reporters now that she is assigned at PCR.

Garbo said Gutierrez was relieved despite last Tuesday’s dialogue between the policewoman and the four reporters at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

During the dialogue, Gutierrez said she was still unaware of the needs of reporters being a new graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

She said what happened was just a miscommunication between her and the four reporters.

Senior Supt. Patrocincio Comendador Jr., chief of CPPO, said there’s still many policemen from the 51 police stations in the province who are still uncomfortable dealing with reporters.

He said more seminars and other activities will be conducted for these police officers to learn how to deal with media./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON