Garbo ultimatum is illegal, Gwen insists

The prospect of being “physically removed” from her office by police prompted suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to file  her complaint beforeCamp Crame.

In a letter to PNP Director-General Alan Purisima, copies of which were distributed to media, Gov. Garcia complained that Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo’s ultimatum for her to leave office on or before Dec. 31 last year was both unethical and illegal.

“Imagine the indescribable fear and panic it created among my family, office staff and supporters who’ve been keeping vigil at the Governor’s Office where I stand firm to question an illegal suspension order before the proper forum,” she said,

Garcia also cited the presence of Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) members outside her office last Dec. 22 and 30 and last Jan. 5 to bolster her complaint.

The suspended governor has been staying in her office since last month after being served a suspension order by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG).

She said she wakes up in the middle of the night for fear of being carried out by policemen.

Garcia said Garbo’s ultimatum violated the Ethical Doctrine Manual of the PNP.

She cited Chapter 3, Section 2.9 which states that ‘PNP members shall respect and protect human dignity and uphold the human rights of all persons.”

Garcia said Garbo failed in both areas in dealing with her and her followers.

“He made known, not only in words, but also through the actions of his men, his undeniable intention to commit an inhuman and degrading treatment against me, notwithstanding that I am the duly elected Governor of the Province,” Garcia said.

The governor said Garbo has justified his ultimatum by claiming that there will be political instability in the province with her continued stay in the Capitol.

“Needless to state, Gen. Garbo has only fueled further the political tension already being felt in our Province,” she added.

Garcia added that she will leave it to Purisima to act on her letter.

Copies of the letter were copy furnished to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Manila and in Cebu City.

A copy was also furnished to the Office of the Vice President. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus