Cebu City mayor withdraws support for PNP

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña revoked more than 50 guns, 15 patrol vehicles, and cut off the allowance of police officers because he was not informed that the city director has been transferred, GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported on "24 Oras."

Public Information Officer Nagiel Bañacia explained on Tuesday that Osmeña felt insulted that PNP Cebu replaced his appointed city director, Sr. Supt. Benjamin Santos, without prior consultation.

Osmeña may have been offended as Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code states that local officials may select their city's chief of police and other officials.

"One way or another, he was insulted for not being consulted by the PNP hierarchy," Bañacia said.

Depending on their rank, police officers receive between P2,500 to P10,000 from the local government.

Philippine National Police RegionaL Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño said Osmeña has yet to meet with acting City Director Sr. Supt. Joel Doria.

"Hindi pa sila naguusap ng city director kasi ang city director, gusto niyang mag-courtesy call kay mayor, pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa siya hinaharap," Taliño said.

The regional director added that the conflict between Osmeña and the police happened amid the intensified anti-drug campaign by the government.

"Kahit na tinigil yung support sa Cebu City police office, tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung kampanya natin at yung suportang binibigyan ng pulis sa Cebu City ay buong-buo pa," Taliño said.

He also confirmed that Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who President Rodrigo Duterte accused of being involved in the drug trade, remains confined at a hospital in Cebu city.

Malacañang has been notified of the conflict. — Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News