By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents
ALL his bags were packed, and he was ready to go. But an order from National Police Director General Ricardo Marquez at the eleventh hour stopped northern Mindanao police director Lyndel Desquitado from relinquishing his post yesterday to another police general.
Chief Supt. Desquitado confirmed that Marquez ordered the cancellation of the command turnover ceremonies at Camp Alagar that was scheduled yesterday.
The directive prompted Camp Alagar to recall all the invitation letters it sent out, and apologize for the cancellation of the turnover of command.
Desquitado said he received Marquez’s order at around 5:30 pm on Thursday.
No reason was given by Marquez just as no reason was given when Camp Crame earlier released an order that would have relieved Desquitado effective yesterday.
Desquitado was supposed to turn over the command of Camp Alagar to Chief Supt. Federico Dulay Jr. after serving northern Mindanao as its police chief for eight months.
Marquez’s order also prompted Camp Alagar spokesperson Supt. Gervacio Balmaceda to quickly send out e-mails to reporters on Thursday night to inform them about the last-minute changes.
It was Balmaceda who earlier confirmed to reporters that Desquitado was to turn over the command to Dulay.
“Wala pa nako matugkad, unsay rason sa akong order for relief. Wala pa sad nako matugkad kon ngano nga wala madayon ang pagelieve kanako. Over all, OK ra ko nga magpabilin ko dire isip regional director sa PNP-Region 10,” he said.
Desquitado said he was already prepared to leave Camp Alagar as early as Thursday morning.
He said talk of the relief order had gone the rounds for over a week.
“Naka-ready na gani akong message, and my things were already packed except for my flag and name stand. Halos tanan nahipos na nako sa akong opisina,” Desquitado said.
Yesterday, Desquitado had his belongings returned to his office, and rearranged because he expected to stay in Camp Alagar for a few months.
Desquitado would retire this July when he turns 56.
He said he did not see the canceled relief order as a promotion given that there was no higher position waiting for him at Camp Crame. It would have been, he said, part of a “lateral movement” in the National Police.
He said Marquez’s order was a fresh mandate to carry on with his work as regional director of the National Police in northern Mindanao.
He apologized to all those who were sent invitations to the scheduled command turnover, saying the Thursday directive came a bit too late.
“I don’t know what was the reason. I am dealing with the people in this region fair and square, including local officials. Enemy lang kita sa mga hiwi nga polis og sa mga criminal elements,” he said.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
