Tagum City mayor restores LGU’s support for police

FILE PHOTO: Four patrol cars issued by the city government of Tagum to the local police are seen parked at the city motor pool on Friday, April 28, 2023, after Mayor Rey Uy withdrew the city’s support for the police over the sudden relief of Lt. Col. Edgardo Bernardo. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUEL DAGSANGAN

TAGUM CITY — Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy has restored the local government unit’s (LGU) support for police operations, a week after he had it withheld as an expression of dismay over the sacking of the city police chief without his prior knowledge.

Uy has ordered the return of four LGU-provided patrol vehicles to the city police which were earlier withdrawn, along with other logistical assistance to local law enforcers.

Uy’s decision came on the heels of his two-hour meeting on Tuesday, May 2, with Davao regional police chief Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo during which he also pledged to increase the city government’s support to the Tagum City police station.

READ: Davao del Norte city withdraws police support

Davao regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano confirmed the meeting between the two officials, saying: “Good developments were discussed” by Uy and Delvo, without elaborating.

A source who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter said the regional police chief reportedly apologized to the mayor for the “miscommunication” following the relief of the previous city police chief, Lt. Col. Edgardo Bernardo.

Bernardo was replaced by Lt. Col. Jeffrey Latayada, former operations chief of Davao del Sur provincial police, following the abduction, rape, and murder of two girls just days apart. These crimes left the local population in shock.

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While expressing sympathy to the victims’ families, Uy maintained that the local police under Bernardo were not remiss in their duties of protecting the city’s residents.

Bernardo’s sacking had angered Uy who said he felt disrespected and bypassed as he was not consulted, prompting him to sever the local government’s logistical aid to the police.

Aside from the patrol cars, Uy also had ordered the recall of LGU-paid staff assigned to the city police station and stopping the rice and utilities subsidies.

Gultiano said the order to relieve Bernardo came following the twin rape-slay cases that occurred in Tagum last month, even as police said these were isolated cases.

She said Bernardo’s sacking was meant to “(set) an example” to commanders in solving crimes in their areas.

While local government units have a part in the operation of police stations, Gultiano said the administrative function of assigning officers to different posts is the discretion of the regional police chief.

“Maybe there’s some sort of miscommunication, but we’re hoping things will be patched up. We hope for the mayor’s 100 percent support to the Tagum police,” the regional police spokesperson said.

Latayada, the officer-in-charge of Tagum City police station, said he was grateful that Uy is again supporting local law enforcers.

The city police chief said the local government’s assistance “was a huge boost in improving their capability in keeping the city safe.”