Police official berated by Binay during Makati City Hall tensions is now EPD chief
The police official who was berated by Vice President Jejomar Binay at the height of Makati City Hall tensions during the suspension of Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay from office in June is now the officer in charge of the Eastern Police District (EPD).
Senior Supt. Elmer Jamias, the former deputy district director for administration of the Southern Police District (SPD), assumed office on Monday, following the retirement of the EPD director, Chief Supt. Abelardo Villacorta, on Friday. Jamias’ promotion comes barely two months since he was confronted by Vice President Binay when he refused to pull out the policemen providing security at the Makati City Hall complex.
At that time, the Office of the Ombudsman had served the younger Binay his second suspension order for the alleged overpriced Makati Science High School building. The suspended Makati mayor stepped down on July 1.
Last month, Jamias said the Vice President’s camp called him up asking for a meeting to talk to him and apologize for the incident. Binay’s camp has since denied making such a call. Jamias said that as of Monday, the charges of physical injury, oral defamation, direct assault on a person of authority and grave threat were still “under review.”
He gave no further details but added that his stand on the matter remains unchanged. Jamias earlier said he would accept the Vice President’s apology but would still file charges against the country’s second highest official.
Jamias, a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (Class 1986), was quick to point out that his promotion was based on his qualifications and not because of any political reason.
“I’m very much qualified… I had three meritorious promotions for gallantry in action. This is my time. I have already passed the career ladder,” Jamias told reporters on Monday.
Jamias, who earned the moniker “Barako ng Maynila” for his relentless pursuit of criminals in Manila, was once a patrolman before becoming a station commander in Quiapo, Chinatown, Divisoria and Binondo. He twice served the Western Police District as the director of the Traffic Enforcement Group, and later chief of the directorial staff of what would become the Manila Police District.
Apart from that, he also became the provincial director of the Police Community Relations Group, and chief of police of Muntinlupa City and the municipality of Cainta. Before becoming SPD’s deputy chief for administration, Jamias also served as the police district’s chief of staff and deputy district director for operations.
His most notable accomplishment was in March 1999, when Manila’s “public enemy No. 1” Mike Ampuan was killed in a shootout.
During Villacorta’s retirement honors on Friday, it was expected that the EPD deputy chief for administration, Senior Supt. Wilson Caubat, would assume the post as officer in charge. Jamias said he learned of his new designation only Monday morning through an order from the director of the National Capital Region Police Office, Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao.
Jamias added that apart from his qualifications, he believed his new post was Philippine National Police Director General Ricardo Marquez’s way of giving him a break. Marquez and Jamias were once colleagues in the Manila police force in 1999. They both took oath as senior superintendents in 2004.
When asked if he would reshuffle officials of the EPD, Jamias said the lawmen under his watch should just continue on with their functions and be “outstanding in the performance” of their duties. He said it has not been his style to just reshuffle people or pick people for certain posts without basis.
He, however, warned that if within three months, the EPD’s four chiefs of police and their men underperform, he would “recommend immediate replacement” and look for “officers that can deliver the police service” the public deserves.
The EPD covers the cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina and San Juan. Jamias said he would meet with the mayors of the cities within this week to assure them of the EPD’s support for their anti-crime campaign, “provided that we will all do what is right according to the law.” Jovic Yee, Philippine Daily Inquirer
