Rama defends choice of Romana as cop chief
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama said his candidate for olice chief, Senior Supt. Noli Romana, should be given a chance to perform rather than be dismissed outright by the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).
“Galibog ko, (kung wala sila’y salig) ngano gibutang man nila sa lista? (I’m confused. If they are dissatisfied with Romana, why did they include him in the list?),” Rama said.
Rama was reacting to the remarks of Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 chief, who expressed dissatisfaction over Romana’s performance in the police’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Garbo was vocal in his disapproval over Rama’s choice of Romana as Cebu City police chief, saying Romana was a non-performer in the fight against drugs and illegal gambling in Negros Oriental.
Romana’s aide and driver were also caught on video extorting money and had to be transferred to another region, said Garbo.
“I don’t understand why he attacks his own colleague. They haven’t even given him disciplinary action, and then he’s already convicted?,” Rama said.
Garbo earlier said he signed the papers recommending Romano among the five candidates from which the mayor can select a Cebu City police chief after Rama “threatened to withdraw support from the police.”
Rama clarified that he didn’t threaten to withdraw support. He said he was amenable to turning over support of the city police to the national government.
Rama yesterday sent his letter conveying his desire to pick Romana to replace Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. as CCPO chief.
He said he also ordered the City Legal Office to study options to justify his choice of Romana as police chief.
Romana, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, is the current director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office. Aside from Romana andNatu-el, Garbo’s list also included Senior Supt. Erson Digal, chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division and Senior Supt. Marciano Batiancila, chief of the Regional Headquarters and Service Group .. With Correspondent Chito Aragon
