Residents of Guimaras called on the Philippine National Police to act on the upsurge of criminality and vice in the island province.
Members and officers of the Guimaras Concerned Citizens Group also expressed alarm at the rampant drug trafficking and its use, illegal gambling and criminality happening in the province.
They claimed the province ranks number 2 in Region VI (Western Visayas) for illegal drug activities, with the massive proliferation of shabu especially in the remotest parts of the region.
The group, led by lawyer Humabon Felixberto, asked PNP chief Ricardo Marquez to act against provincial commander Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz for his alleged “lackluster performance” to get rid of the drug trade and illegal gambling.
He said despite the weekly apprehensions of suspected drug pushers and couriers by police and operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the illegal drug activities continue unabated.
The group also said after 48 hours since their arrest, the pushers and couriers have gone scot-free.
“The peace and order situation in the province is rapidly deteriorating as an offshoot of these illicit activities. The overwhelming clamor of the people of Guimaras and Iloilo, and those in neighboring provinces for change has fallen on deaf ears, to no avail,” said Felixberto in a statement.
The group said De la Paz’s reassignment to another province has long been overdue and he has been staying in his post for more than the two-year period tour of duty as specified in the order of then PNP chief Alan Purisima in January 2013 that all PNP key personnel who have completed their two years of duty had to be reassigned.
The group also claimed that political kingpins in the province are the ones calling the shots on who they want to designate as police chiefs.
It added that these kingpins who are party mates of President Benigno Aquino III are starting to gear up for the 2016 elections. “Is this the political ploy of the untouchables? Is this a clear sign of Daang Matuwid or Daang Nakatuwad?” the group stated.