(Eagle News) — The National Police Commission has stripped 19 govenment officials—a governor and 18 mayors—of their police power either because of alleged drug links or abuse of authority.
The powers of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles; Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental Mayor Crisinciano Mahilac; Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental Mayor Donjie Animas; Concepcion, Misamis Occidental Mayor Juanidy Viña; Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental Mayor Michael Gutierrez; Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental Mayor Jason Almonte; Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Andres Lacson; Angeles, Pampanga Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan; Subic, Zambales Mayor Jefferson Khonghun; Camiling, Tarlac Mayor Erlon Agustin; Ronda, Cebu Mayor Mariano Blanco; and El Nido, Palawan Mayor Niever Cabunalda-Rosento were removed in separate resolutions dated Oct. 30 and signed by Interior and Local Government officer in charge Catalino Cuy.
Also stripped of their powers were Calamba, Misamis Occidental Mayor Ezel Villanueva; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte Mayor Ferdinand Aguinaldo; Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Leonida Angcap; Banga, South Cotabato Mayor Albert Palencia; Santo Niño, South Cotabato Mayor Pablo Matinong Jr; Libungan, North Cotabato Mayor Christopher Cuan; and Bataraza, Palawan Mayor Abraham Ibba.
Of the 19 government officials, Cerilles was taken to task for his alleged abuse of authority, an act President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to remove since he assumed office, a resolution said.
The remaining mayors were held accountable for their alleged drug links.
“Based on the consistent pronouncements made by our Chief Executive… in his campaign against illegal drugs, the involvement of a local chief executive in illegal drug activity constitutes an act inimical to national security,” another resolution said.
Earlier, Teresa, Rizal Mayor Raul Palino; Lemery, Batangas Mayor Eulalio Alilio; Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Cecilio Hernandez; Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili; and San Pablo Mayor Loreto Amante were already stripped of their police power for the same reason.