Desquitado is back

By NITZ ARANCON, Correspondent
with FROILAN GALLARDO, Special Correspondent

CHIEF Supt. Lyndel Desquitado took back the leadership of the National Police in northern Mindanao yesterday afternoon, a move that dumbfounded many–he now holds the record as the only police general to be appointed Camp Alagar director twice.

Desquitado’s successor and subsequently, his predecessor, Chief Supt. Jose Gentiles, paused while delivering an over one-hour speech to wipe off tears. Gentiles served as director of the police in northern Mindanao for only 29 days, the shortest on record in Region 10.

Neither Desquitado nor Gentiles gave a clear explanation about Camp Crame’s decisions. None of their subordinates would talk. Not even Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, Camp Crame’s deputy director for operations, who installed Gentiles in April 18 and returned yesterday to install Desquitado again.

On orders of Police Director General Ricardo Marquez, Desquitado was replaced by Gentiles last month at the height of the election campaign period. In May 16, just five days after the elections, Marquez signed an order, relieving Gentiles.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a wife of an officer told the Gold Star Daily that Desquitado and Gentiles were caught in the political crossfires.

Before Gentiles, Desquitado was ordered relieved by Camp Crame in January. His supposed replacement, Chief Supt. Federico Dulay Jr., was already in a hotel here the day before the scheduled turnover when the order was recalled, giving Desquitado more time in Camp Alagar.

The source said she learned from her husband that Desquitado was falsely linked to a presidential candidate and was even seen during a political activity here. This could not be independently verified.

Gentiles was evidently emotional as he received Marquez’s order from Constantino and as he turned over  Camp Alagar’s command to Desquitado who would be retiring on July 12.

Earlier, Gentiles said that it was possible he was suspected to be among the “Novetel generals,” referring to a hotel in Cubao near the Liberal Party headquarters that was rumored to have been used in storing vote-counting machines on election day. The reports about Novotel turned out to be false.

Gentiles said Class ’84 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), his class, is closely associated with losing presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II, and has even turned the politician as an honorary member.

“I had nothing to do with the elections. I cannot do anything about it. That’s my class,” Gentiles said.

During his speech yesterday Gentiles cracked a joke: “In my short stay in Region 10, pahaba-in ko na lang itong speech ko.”

He then thanked his subordinates for their cooperation, and for helping him ensure peaceful and orderly elections in the region despite problem areas in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental.

“There was no reported  failure of election in Region 10,” he said.

Gentiles also thanked Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Iglesia  Filipina Indepiendente, Monsignor  Elmer Abacahin of the local Roman Catholic archdiocese, and  their group for facilitating the release of police officers held captive by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Constantino said Marquez ordered Gentiles to report back to Camp Crame but there was no specific assignment yet for the police general.

Desquitado, for his part, attributed his return to Camp Alagar to “the will of God.”

“I think this is the will of God, then I will  have to obey,” said Desquitado, adding that he would devote his remaining 53 days in the National Police in serving citizens of Region 10 the best way possible.