The President's Men: Police Chief Arturo Lomibao--Arroyo's monitor?

Presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye had described police director general, Arturo Lomibao, as “stabilizer at a time of destabilization.” Malacañang only had praises for the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the week-long state of emergency, February 4 to March 3. But for members of media and civil society organizations, whom the police chief said, he would continue to “monitor” even after Proclamation 1017 was lifted, Lomibao is overstepping the boundaries of his job. In elementary, our teacher often assigned a monitor, especially when he or she needed to step out of the classroom, to catch the noisy or naughty ones. Those whose names were written on the board must anticipate punishment when the teacher came back. Lomibao, together with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Generoso Senga, was among the busiest of government officials in enforcing the state of emergency. Lomibao and Senga were classmates at the Philippine Military Academy; both graduated in 1972. The day after the President issued her state-of-emergency proclamation, the PNP raided the editorial and printing offices of the Daily Tribune, known to be critical of Mrs. Arroyo, arrested a left-leaning lawmaker on sedition charges and threatened to arrest five others the moment they leave the grounds of the House of Representatives. Despite the lifting of the state of emergency on March 3, Lomibao assured that the 114,000-strong PNP would serve the Arroyo leadership in its efforts to preserve democracy at all costs. The police continued dispersing anti-Arroyo rallies and arresting personalities, such as Akbayan party list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and former social welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky Soliman.” What’s the pay-off? Is Lomibao’s dutiful performance during the state of emergency paying off? Lomibao’s “exemplary performance” and “professional loyalty” at the height of the political turmoil may still compel Arroyo to make Lomibao the first PNP chief to get a fixed three-year term. This is a major shift from the existing “revolving door” policy in appointing police and military officials, which has become a tool to accommodate political favors. Lomibao became the 15th PNP chief on March 14, 2005 after months of speculation and alleged maneuvering among the political backers of other contenders for the top post, mostly belonging to PMA Class 1971. Despite talks that he earned his post through the help of power brokers including Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s, Lomibao’s credentials have also been acknowledged. Lomibao played a key role in the 1976 capture of Bernabe Buscayno alias Kumander Dante, then one of the country’s most wanted New People’s Army. He was also known to be an expert in intelligence and administrative work. Before climbing up the national directorate ladder, Lomibao held different positions in Central and Northern Luzon. He became regional director for PNP Central Luzon, Ilocos region and Cordillera. He also headed police offices in Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Camarines Sur and La Union. He was chief of the Directorate Staff, the fourth highest post in the PNP, when Arroyo made him PNP Chief. He previously headed the Criminal and Investigation Group (CIDG) and the Public Information Office of the PNP. He received 60 awards and commendations throughout his career, including a Distinguished Service Medal, several Bronze Cross Medals and a leadership award from the AFP Command and General Staff College. His predecessor, Edgardo Aglipay, also vouched for his capacity to unite the force and initiate reforms. “The PNP will be in the safe hands of Lomibao. He is a good and capable leader,” said Aglipay, member of PMA Class 1971. Lomibao’s competency was immediately put to test on his first working day as police chief when several detained leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) allegedly took hostages in a failed jail break at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig. The two-day siege left 26 prisoners, three jail guards and a police officer dead. Malacañang commended Lomibao for handling the crisis well, but the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recently recommended the filing of multiple murder charges against Lomibao, Aglipay and former Interior, now Environment, Secretary Angelo Reyes. Controversies The 55-year-old chief, however, would find himself in the middle of controversies while serving the President. He was among several police officials whose names were mentioned in the wiretapped conversations between Mrs. Arroyo and elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Lomibao was CIDG head during the 2004 polls. Police and military officials, including Lomibao, who allegedly helped the President ensure her presidency were promoted since the Hello Garci tapes surfaced in June 2005. Another controversy he faced was in November 2005 when he retracted his earlier claim that the PNP captured ASG chief of staff Radulan Sahiron in Southern Mindanao. Lomibao said Mrs. Arroyo accepted his apology, and told him to be more careful next time. He was also assured no heads would roll due to this incident. Is it now “I’ll-watch-your-back-you-watch-mine” situation between the master and the monitor?RORIE FAJARDO, GMANews.TV