PIMENTEL SAYS RELIEF OF MAKATI POLICE CHIEF ILLEGAL

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today branded as illegal the abrupt removal of the Makati City police commander and one of his deputies, saying this could be part of the administrations continuing harassment of Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Pimentel accused police authorities of disregarding existing law and regulations by relieving Superintendent Marietto Valerio, as Makati police chief without consultation with Binay.

Also relieved upon order of Southern Police District Director Senior Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, was Supt. Ramon Galido, chief of the investigation and intelligence section of the Makati police.

Changing the Makati police officers without Mayor Binays knowledge or consent violates the spirit and letter of the Philippine National Police Act requiring consultation with the mayor. Clearly, he is being harassed by the administration, Pimentel said.

Pimentel said the arbitrary removal of the Makati police top brass should be investigated by the PNP and National Police Commission, citing Mayor Binays complaint that it was done after the policemen under them, served the warrant of arrest of his political foe, former Makati councilor Roberto Brillantes who had been convicted in a libel case filed by the city mayor.