Natu-el hurt by Rama’s opposition

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el said he was disheartened that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama disapproved his appointment as acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Natu-el said that as a human being, he can’t help but get hurt that Rama opposed his appointment as city police chief.

Natu-el said he is only waiting for an order from Camp Crame removing him as CCPO chief.

Natuel said Rama’s disapproval of his appointment won’t affect his job.

He said he will work harder as acting CCPO chief especially that his children are studying here.

’POLITICAL PREPARATION’

Rama was unhappy with Natu-el’s appointment which he viewed as “political preparation.”

The mayor on Wedneday visited PNP Director General Alan Purisima in Camp Crame to complain on Natu-el’s appointment.

The mayor also insisted on his choice of Senior Supt. Noli Romana to replace Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Romana is the current chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 12.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), insisted that Buenafe’s relief was not politically motivated.

“I had an intimate talk with him (Buenafe) and he really wanted to be out of Cebu City before Sinulog kasi pagod na din siya,” Garbo said in a press conference yesterday.

Garbo said Buenafe also wanted to grab the opportunity to take on an important position in Camp Crame.

Buenafe was reassigned to the directorate for operations in Camp Crame.

Garbo said three police officials were endorsed to Rama to replace Buenafe but the mayor sought for the extension of Buenafe’s term.

Garbo said he later learned that Natuel was named acting chief of CCPO.

Garbo said the PNP has a strict policy in following the two-year limit for police officials appointed to a certain position.

“They are now very strict considering its election time. I believe all provincial directors and city directors and senior officers holding sensitive positions who have exceeded the two year service or length of service will be relieved from their positions,” Garbo pointed out.

“I advised the mayor to seek help from higher authority. Tayo naman dito messenger lang. We forward request to Camp Crame,” Garbo said.

Garbo said there will be a reshuffling of police officials after January 13 with the approval of Commission on Election./WITH REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS AND CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC