Oriental Negros police director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe is calling for sobriety among the men and women of the Philippine National Police in the province amid increasing reports of his possible relief.

He said he was touched that police chiefs and other personnel signed a manifesto Tuesday asking the police hierarchy for his retention as the provincial police director. "I think what they feel bad about is that we (NORPPO and other law enforcement agencies) accomplished good things, but instead of being recognized for our efforts, we are being 'punished' instead, as my men would say," Buenafe said.

He was referring to the March 9 ambush-slay in La Libertad which has been tagged as the root cause of more political controversies on the side, including his reported upcoming relief.

Buenafe's impending removal from office was immediately linked to recent events in the ongoing investigation by Task Force Manluminsag on the ambush which left seven people dead and scores wounded.

These events include the arrest of William Paunilian, the second suspect to fall into the hands of authorities.

Paunilian had tagged former Rep. Jacinto Paras as the alleged mastermind in the ambush-slay but the former solon brushed aside the ambush suspect's accusations, saying they were unfounded.

Paras, however, questioned the procedure in which Paunilian was delivered to the proper authorities.

The former congressman had also accused the police of beating Paunilian to extract a statement from him that would implicate the former.

The PRO-7 had also ordered Buenafe to submit a report explaining the circumstances behind Paunilian's arrest, transport, delivery and commitment to the provincial jail.

Meanwhile, Buenafe said there is no official communication as yet that he has been officially relieved from his duties here in the province.

He continues to report for duty at his office at Camp Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan town, the headquarters of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office even if he has already been advised to go on leave. The PNP Regional Office-7 in Cebu City has directed him, albeit only verbally, to file an official leave of absence at the soonest possible time, Buenafe confirmed.

However, Buenafe also said, Gov. Emilio Macias II has not allowed him to go on leave as there are serious peace and order concerns in the province that need the police provincial director's attention.

The governor has noted the proximity of Negros Oriental to Mindanao where an all-out military offensive has been launched against rebel and terrorist groups in the southern Philippines. Other concerns are the attack last week by New People's Army rebels at the Cabrera Enterprises farm in Siaton town, and the weeklong celebration of the 106th Founder's Day Anniversary of Silliman University that brought an influx of domestic and foreign visitors.

Buenafe said that whatever the decision of the PNP hierarchy is, he will obey, but, in the meantime, he will continue to work hard to keep the peace in the province.

He is four months short of completing the two-year normal tour of duty of a provincial police director by December 31, this year. Asked whether verbal instruction from a superior official can be taken as an official order, Buenafe explained that the PNP organization has ways that are not familiar to civilians.

He said that some suggestions (from higher ranking officials) can be taken as a directive. *JG

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