Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao has chosen a new chief of police for the town, but the transition remains pending as the Philippine National Police (PNP) awaits clearances from its regional office and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
This was confirmed by Narra Municipal Administrator Jojo Gastanes, who also serves as the spokesperson of the mayor.
In an interview with Palawan News, Gastanes said the Palawan Police Provincial Office (PalPPO) sent a letter on March 27 containing five names for Mayor Danao to consider as the next chief of the Narra Municipal Police Station. The following day, the mayor responded.
“Meron nang sulat si Col. Casupanan at sumagot na rin kami. Nakatanggap na kami at depende na sa kanila [PNP] kung ano ang plano at susunod na hakbang,” Gastanes said.
He also confirmed that Mayor Danao selected Police Maj. Dhenies Acosta, the second name on the list, to replace police chief P/Maj. Thirz Starky Timbancaya.
On the side of the PNP, Palawan PPO Spokesperson P/Maj. Ric Ramos said they are now waiting for the necessary clearance from the regional office and COMELEC before they can issue a formal reassignment order for Timbancaya.
“‘Nag-request na kami ng reassignment at humingi na rin kami ng clearance sa regional office para po dito. Ito na lang ang hinihintay namin at kapag may clearance na kami at kapag may clearance na po ng COMELEC at ang regional office na ni-request namin, magbababa na kami ng reassignment order,” Ramos said.
While the reassignment is not yet official, he said Timbancaya remains the current chief of police of Narra.
He pointed out that no police leadership changes until all necessary processes and clearances are completed, including PNP and COMELEC vetting.
“Si Major Timbancaya pa rin ang chief of police hanggang wala relief order. Pwede naman kasing pumili ang mayor pero hindi agad-agad ang reassignment order,” Ramos stated.
“Yung reassignment order is hinihingi pa namin ‘yan ng clearance sa Police Regional Office at regional office sa COMELEC. Once granted ng COMELEC, babalik sa Police Regional Office, at bago maipapaalam sa atin na may clearance na para makapagpalabas tayo ng reassignment order,” he added.
Timbancaya came back to the Narra Municipal Police Station as chief of police, but an injunction was obtained against his appointment from a local court.
Danao took legal action because he believed the PalPPO had improperly designated Timbancaya without first obtaining his consent, as is customary.
