MAMBUSAO, Capiz -- Local government units led by Mayor Jose Alba, Jr condemned Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Police Regional Office 6 for relieving the entire police force in this town for lack of trust and confidence.

"The Sangguniang Bayan and the Liga ng Mga Barangay passed separate resolutions condemning such move for relieving the entire police force consisting of 27," Alba said during a press conference held at the town civic center on Wednesday.

According to him, the relieved personnel, especially the policewomen, have families that that they need to attend to. He added that some have recently given birth to babies.

They also hit the top cop for deploying 30 policemen in the area, citing that the assassination of Vice Mayor Abel Martinez was an isolated case. To recall, Querol requested 10 policemen from Manhoy, Dao in Capiz to augment the police force.

He added that it's the regional and provincial police that are investigating the case and not the local police, so how can they hamper the investigation?

This reaction came after Querol sacked the entire Mambusao Police force including its chief, Senior Inspector Samuel Vipinosa for lack of confidence.

Vipinosa was replaced by Senior Inspector Ruel Buccat.

Querol said that he was not satisfied with the way the Mambusao police handled the Martinez case. He added that they were not cooperating with the investigation.

"I challenge the provincial and regional police to conduct a survey and get the sentiments of the Mambusaonons if they have lost their trust and confidence on their local police," Alba said in response.

PROTOCOL

Meanwhile, Sangguniang Bayan Member Maria Dee Apostol said that Capiz Police Director Dominggo Cabillan failed to follow the protocol wherein the mayor has the right to select among three qualified recommendees for police chief.

"Relieving the entire police force of Mambusao is not the solution to the

Martinez case. Rather, it's the addition of policemen," she said.

THE CRIME

Last May 4, Martinez was shot dead by two suspects riding in tandem onboard a motorcycle at around 6 a.m. at his residence in Rizal Street, Poblacion Tabuc.

The police charged suspects 24-year-old Geger Francisco of Brgy. Maliao, Tapaz, Capiz and 28-year-old Sunday Danid of Brgy. Daan Sur, also in Tapaz, for murder.

Francisco was identified by one of the witnesses as the triggerman.

Danid, on the other hand, was tagged as the one who drove the motorcycle that Francisco used to flee after shooting Martinez.

Danid and Francisco along with six John Does and one Peter Doe were charged for murder before the Department of Justice in Manila.*