LEGAZPI CITY – While denying he has a hand in the botched turn-over of the regional police command from P/SSupt. Aggnanayon “Bal” Tira to P/Chief Supt. Pedro Tango here, several police officers in Bicol have blamed Camarines Sur Cong. Luis R. Villafuerte for dipping his finger on sensitive police matters that has spawned demoralization among members of the police force in the region.

        Insiders at the PNP Regional Command in Camp Simeon Ola here who begged not to be identified for obvious reason claimed unwanted intervention by politicians in the police force have been felt since the election period and until today.

        Tango, a native of Guinobatan, Albay and currently chief of the Northern Police District was supposed to have taken over the Bicol command vice Senior Supt. Tira who was acting as officer- in- charge.

        At the last minute, however, Supt. Ely Bron, PNP-Bicol spokesman, informed mediamen here that the scheduled turn-over of command on June 18 was cancelled.

        When asked why, Bron replied he had no idea.

        “Order from higher headquarters,” he simply said.

        Tango told reporters that he was told by Gen. Edgardo Acuña, Jr. PNP Deputy of the national headquarters that the order for his taking over was revoked.

        When contacted by this reporter, Cong. Villafuerte denied he had a hand in the reported cancellation of the turn-over of command. “Who is that police general na nagsabing nakialam ako at tatawagan ko! Where are you? Baka nang-iintriga ka lang,” Villafuerte told this reporter through a cell phone.