Councilor Luna Maria Dominique Acosta, chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Order of the City Council, on Tuesday said the recent shake-up in the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the appointment of Col. Hansel Marantan as acting City Director violated the Philippine National Police (PNP) Reform Act.
This developed after the DCPO leadership was replaced thrice in a day last week upon the order of Police Regional Office (PRO 11) Director Brigadier General Nicholas Torre III.
On Wednesday last week, Col. Lito Patay was replaced by Col. Sherwin Butil hours after assuming office as DCPO OIC director. Five hours later, Col. Hansel Marantan replaced Butil and is currently the acting city director of the DCPO.
In her privilege speech on Tuesday, Acosta said the reshuffling violated Republic Act No. 6975, also known as the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990”, as amended by Republic Act No. 8551, also known as the “Philippine National Police (PNP) Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998”, which explicitly states that the City Mayor has the “authority to choose the Chief of Police from a list of five eligible recommended by the PNP Regional Director, preferably from the same province, city or municipality.”
Acosta mentioned that Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Z. Duterte, known for his administration’s thrust to promote peace and order, has exercised his executive powers to select the appointment of the new city director.
She said that Patay was the mayor’s pick among the shortlist provided to him by the PNP.
She said it is normal for this circumstance to draw confusion as no written or verbal notice was provided in the change and selection process of the said position.
“Col. Marantan is not the choice of the City Mayor. He was not even on the shortlist presented to him. His appointment was provided by the National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police. In the copy of his appointment, it was stated that the basis for his appointment was by virtue of RA 6975 which grants the Chief of the PNP the power to direct and control the movements, deployments, and utilization of the PNP personnel. This appointment is marked as in an acting capacity. The question arises then, how long will this appointment last?” Acosta said.
The mayor has expressed confusion about the placement of Torre and Marantan’s positions, who according to the mayor both have controversial pasts.
Acosta also expressed concern as next month, Davao City will be celebrating its 39th Kadayawan Festival and will be hosting various activities such as the Ironman 70.3 Davao Philippines.
“Our fellow Dabawenyos, tourists, and athletes numbering in thousands will be gathering in Davao City for this major event. How can we assure that our constituents and visiting- athletes will not be in harm’s way when the head of the DCPO keeps on changing within a short amount of time?” she said.
Acosta added that the constant change from one city director to another in 30 days, these abrupt changes raise important questions such as “why do we allow the rule of law to be perverted and taken advantage of in exchange for Davao City’s peace and public safety?”
Acosta passed a resolution asking Torre, Marantan, and Interior and Local Government 11 Director Vicky Sarcena to appear and explain before the City Council the inconsistent appointment of DCPO director in the next session, which was supported by the other City Councilors.
“This is a call for the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) to explain. Make it make sense. The Dabawenyos deserve an explanation. Again, as your chairperson on the Committee of Peace and Public Safety, I emphasize the necessity for transparency and integrity,” she said.
