Security tightened at Cebu capitol as leadership row drags on

Security was tightened at the Cebu provincial capitol in Cebu City Thursday as the leadership row stemming from the suspension order on Governor Gwendolyn Garcia dragged on. Garcia's supporters held a prayer vigil at the capitol while police made arrangements to protect employees from harassment, radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate Orchids Lapincao reported. The report said police are particularly on watch against people bringing firearms or explosives, or attacking employees or officials. Even the PNP regional police in Central Visayas was also on alert for any untoward incident, according to a separate report by radio dzBB's Glen Juego. On Thursday, police inspected the belongings of people entering the capitol as part of security measures, the report added. Garcia had refused to recognize a six-month suspension order against her, as she returned to the provincial capitol Wednesday noon and issued a directive not to honor directives issued by her vice governor. She said the suspension order served by the Interior Department Wednesday was defective since she did not receive it personally. "This is, plain and simple, a power grab... to overturn the will of the Cebuanos through a patently illegal order," Garcia also said in a post on her Twitter account Wednesday. afternoon. While she supported President Benigno Aquino III in 2010, Garcia is a member of the United Nationalist Alliance headed by former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government administered the oath on Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as acting governor after failing to locate Garcia in the capitol. The suspension order stemmed from Garcia's alleged acts of usurpation and abuse of power. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Quezon City, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II belied claims the suspension order was politically motivated saying, "they had evidence to support the case that started while his predecessor, the late Jesse Robredo, was still holding office. “The order is the result of a full due process. Dalawang taong pinroseso ito simula November 2010. Binigyan ng pagkakataon na sumagot si Governor Garcia. Noong buhay pa si Secretary Robredo, nagkaroon ito ng findings na may violation, recommending a suspension,” Roxas said. He added that the findings on Garcia's case were reviewed by the Office of the President before the order was served. — LBG, GMA News