THE last of the police assigned to secure the Capitol at the height of the standoff caused by Garcia’s defiance were pulled out of the area yesterday.
Acting Governor Magpale ordered the policemen withdrawn from the area. Insp. Benigno Aldefolla, team leader and 20 other policemen left the Capitol compound yesterday morning.
“Nalipay mi. At least, maka-serbisyo na mi sa mga tawo sa among assigned area. (We’re happy. At least, we can go back to our respective assignments and serve the public),” he told reporters in an interview.
The policemen are under the Regional Public Safety Battalion based in Sibonga tpwn, southern Cebu.
Aldefolla said security at the Capitol will now be handled by the Civil Security Unit (CSU).
The policemen were detailed at the Capitol shortly after the suspension order against Garcia was served last Dec. 19, 2012.
They first dismantled the tents used by Garcia’s supporters, closed the Sugbo TV and Sugbo News building, and monitored visitors to the Governor’s Office.
The policemen also padlocked the Governor’s Office last Jan. 30 when Garcia went out to visit southern Cebu. The Governor’s Office remains closed until now. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus and Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol