Bacoor standoff ends; Mayor agrees to unlock PNP stations

Defusing tensions in the town which began the night before, Bacoor Mayor Jessie Castillo on Thursday agreed to open and return to law enforcers the police statuibs that he had ordered padlocked. QTV's Balitangali reported that Castillo made the decision after a one-hour meeting with Acting Cavite Governor Juan Victor Remulla, Calabarzon police director Nicasio Radovan and other officials. Acting Cavite Gov. Juan Victor Remulla expressed optimism that the operation of the Bacoor police force to return to normal with the opening of the police station this afternoon. After Castillo padlocked the police stations, lawmen set up tents outside their offices and received complainants there. Chief Inspector Alex Borja, Bacoor police chief, said the police officers went to work despite the incident. In another development, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was considering sanctions against Borja for his failure to coordinate with his superiors the incident, radio station dzBB reported Thursday. The radio report quoted Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao as saying that Borja should have reported to the Cavite police provincial director the Castillo's order to padlock the police stations. Pagdilao, PNP spokesperson, said the chain of command should have been followed. However, he added that they are now checking if the ownership of the lot where the police station is situated has been transferred. Once proven that lot is already owned by the PNP, said Pagdilao, the Bacoor mayor would have to face legal implications of his actions. For his part, Castillo expressed readiness to face any charges which will be filed against him. He alleged that Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla was planning to install police officials loyal to the latter with the elections three months away. Revilla's brother Strike will reportedly seek the town's top local post. For his part, QTV television reported that Senator Revilla denied Castillo's accusations. - GMANews.TV