Mayor Alfonso Gamboa yesterday challenged Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, to reveal the real reason for his order to relieve Senior Inspector Santiago Rapiz as the town police chief.

Gamboa said Franco informed him that Rapiz was already overstaying as police chief of E. B. Magalona. In media interviews, however, Franco claimed he relieved Rapiz because of numerous complaints against him.

Gamboa admitted that numerous complaints were filed against Rapiz, who has served as police chief of E.B. Magalona for 14 months, including counter charges filed against him by a policeman whom he had caught stealing "riles (train rails)" and two arrested drug pushers, before the Ombudsman Visayas.

If a police officer tries to avoid complaints, what will he do not do his job? Gamboa asked.

It seems like a shallow reason, Gamboa said. Rapiz assumed command of the E.B. Magalona police on Nov. 10, 2005 and was stripped of his position on Jan. 13.

Gamboa maintained that the E.B. Magalona police had been performing its duty in the maintenance of peace and order under Rapiz.

Franco denied allegations that the relief was related to politics, and said it was made because of pending investigations on allegations against him, and to satisfy the complainants.

Town residents who backed up Rapiz in his anti-criminality drive, yesterday said the drug pushers and their coddlers in E. B. Magalona are rejoicing over the relief of Rapiz.

Rapiz, who is now on floating status, got the ire of drug pushers and financiers of illegal gambling who are reportedly being coddled by some influential people in E.B. Magalona, for his sustained anti-drug and illegal gambling campaign. The E.B. Magalona Police Station was adjudged best municipal police station in Negros Occidental for years 2004 and 2005, under the watch of Rapiz, and during the stint of Gamboa as the municipal mayor.

Rapiz was also chosen one of the Top 3 Policemen in Negros Occidental for 2006 by the Council of Lions Club Presidents, police records also showed.

Franco has designated Senior Inspector Rone Grajo officer-in-charge of the E.B. Magalona Police Station.*GPB

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