Rizal police unexpected in Ifugao

BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 6) — The provincial governor of Ifugao said he was surprised over the deployment of police forces from Kalinga to Banaue, despite an earlier official request to beef up security forces in the province.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat, who was in town for the two-day national forum on disaster management for north Luzon executives, said the social acceptability of the deployment should have been considered by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I understand that they have to be taken out of Kalinga for their own protection,” Baguilat told Baguio-based media. He added, however, that the people of Banaue should have been consulted, insinuating there is no need for more peacekeeping forces in the municipality.

According to Baguilat, he could not condemn the relieved policemen who are allegedly involved in the bloodshed over a demolition in sitio Malapiat in barangay San Pascual in Rizal, Kalinga.

“I do not know the circumstances behind the demolition in Rizal,” Baguilat said, but quipped he did not expect the forces to be in Banaue this early. He added, although there was a standing request for additional police forces in the province, based on the strategic plan, the people of Ifugao does not welcome the presence of the alleged erring policemen from Kalinga.

Baguilat said he would confer with PNP authorities as to the policemen’s new deployment. He said he might request to split the 31-strong police force relieved from Rizal into groups of four or five to be integrated into the present police force of the different Ifugao municipalities.

Last week, PNP Regional Deputy Chief Senior Supt. Villamor Bumanlag announced the relief of the whole 31-member Rizal PNP . He said they were up for retraining and re-orientation at the regional headquarters in La Trinidad, Benguet. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS