City mayors seek better ties with PNP

BACOLOD CITY – The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has sought an enhanced collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to further promote and preserve peace and order in the communities.

In a statement on Thursday, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, national president of the LCP, said the city mayors held a virtual dialogue with Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, officer-in-charge of the PNP, who was joined by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, focal mayor for anti-criminality and illegal drugs, from the PNP national headquarters in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Leonardia said the meeting is remarkably significant because it is geared towards a partnership between the PNP and the local government units on peace and order and the welfare of the people.

“We look forward to a closer, harmonious, and productive relationship between our cities and the PNP,” he added.

The dialogue tackled matters relating to the killing of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and the efforts to further enhance the collaboration between the police and the local chief executives.

Leonardia said the LCP is fortunate to have Magalong, a former chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“We feel confident because he is with us. There are matters that could be beyond our comprehension as laymen and his presence assures us that we can look into more details of the investigation and better understand the situation,” he added.

Leonardia appealed anew for the speedy and thorough resolution of the Aquino slay case.

“We are making this official appeal of the LCP to express our support to his widow and the family. We want to appeal for your support and cooperation on this. Rest assured, the highlights of our meeting – whatever messages you would like to deliver – will resonate down to every city mayor so that there will be awareness that indeed the PNP is our partner,” he told Eleazar.

Eleazar assured the LCP that the PNP is committed to resolving the case at the soonest time possible.

“This unfortunate incident should not affect our relationship and should not affect your trust (on us). In fact, our PNP Chief General Debold Sinas is focusing on this investigation. We are also thankful to the Department of Justice for giving instruction to the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate,” he added.

On March 8, Aquino was shot dead along with two police officers from PNP Samar, a policeman assigned to secure the mayor, the mayor’s driver, and a civilian. The mayor’s aide and another police officer were also wounded.

Police reports showed that Aquino, along with his aides, was bound for a resort to attend his son’s birthday party, when the incident happened. (PNA)