Villar confronts DILG’s Cuy for including her friend in list of mayors stripped of police control

Senator Cynthia Villar on Thursday confronted Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy for including one of her friends, a mayor from Mindanao, in the list of local government officials stripped of supervision and control over the police in their respective jurisdictions.

Villar was seen by the media talking to Cuy, as well as DILG Undersecretary Eduardo Año before the Senate’s plenary debate on the budget of their department.

Asked what her concern was, Villar told reporters: “May kaibigan kasi ako na sinama sa listahan... [galing] Mindanao.” Villar nodded when he was asked by reporters whether the said official is a mayor.

“Sabi ko, pakita ninyo, in fairness to them, hindi dapat ni-re-release 'yun unless confirmed. Eh kung may sumira lang sayo, kawawa ka naman ‘di ba? Nasira na ang pangalan mo dahil may pumolitika sayo,” the senator said.

Villar said Cuy committed to meet with the concerned mayor.

“Let’s meet them kasi in fairness to them, they should be able to explain and to understand. Kasi umiiyak sa akin yung asawa eh... Hindi ko naman ide-defend kung di ko alam na maayos eh,” she said.

“Kawawa eh, sisirain yung dangal,” Villar added.

In resolutions signed by Cuy, who also sits as chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), a governor and 18 mayors were stripped of their police powers due to either alleged drug links or abuse of authority.

For those with alleged drug links, the resolutions stated that after continuous validation by the intelligence agencies concerned, the local chief executives have been identified as engaged in illegal drug trade or activity.

The resolutions said the alleged involvement in illegal drugs of the local officials negated the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign and thus serves as a valid ground for suspension or withdrawal of deputation of Napolcom representatives.

“Based on the  consistent pronouncements made by our Chief Executive President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs, the involvement of a local chief executive in illegal drug activity constitutes an act inimical to national security,” the resolutions said. — MDM, GMA News