NAGA CITY - Seventeen policemen detailed at the local police unit here have sought guidance and clarification from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) regarding the latest order by Bicol’s OIC regional police director reassigning them to various stations.

        In a letter dated June 15 and addressed to Senior Supt. Mario R. Sandiego of Napolcom’s Office of the Legal Service, the complaining policemen cited a Napolcom’s opinion dated May 30, 2007 that stated that OICs “do not have the power and prerogative to assign or reassign personnel, among others.”

        The policemen who affixed signatures on the letter that sought guidance and clarification from the Napolcom included PO1 Rennie C. Ranara, PO2 Rey M. Alvarez, PO2 Romeo T. Ranara, PO2 Tomas G. Rentoy IV and PO2 Gilbert Guiriba.

        PO3 Raul S. Bongon, PO3 Norberto R. Genova Jr., SPO1 Ricardo Sierra Jr., SPO1 Edwin A. Azañes, SPO1 Edmundo G. Sto. Domingo, SPO1 Edgardo G. Sto. Domingo, SPO2 Francisco S. Destura, SPO3 Arthur Matos, SPO4 Elmer C. Pitallano, Senior Insp. Nicasio L. Garcia, Senior Insp. Romeo Perez Jr. and Senior Insp. Joventino C. Rosales also affixed their signature on the letter.

        “We are confused on what to do and who to follow due to conflicting legal issues that came up concerning our status at the Naga City PNP,” the policemen complained.

        On June 14 this year, OIC police regional director Senior Supt. Balligi Agnanayon Tira, OIC police regional director of Bicol, issued the reassignment directive on June 15 with “particular reason” for the 17 policemen here.

        The complaining policemen revealed they received the reassignment order on the same day Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo issued an order to report to the Public Safety Office.

        Invoking the lapse of the Election Period on June 14 and following interpretation of Section 51 of RA 6975, the policemen questioned Tira’s authority over reassignment of policemen here.

        Accordingly, the policemen argued they were already “under the supervision and operational control” of the local chief executive following the lapse of Election Period.

        They queried: “Since PSSupt. Tira is an OIC, does this mean that he cannot validly order our reassignment? Does this also mean that PSSupt. Tira cannot also assign new PNP personnel in Naga City who will substitute us if we are to be reassigned? Does this prohibition to reassign also applicable to the present OIC Provincial Director of Camarines Sur, PSSupt. Benedicto Talavera Pintor?”.

        Reiterating their apprehension that Tira’s order may not be valid, the policemen have asked the Napolcom if it’s legal for them to comply with the reassignment order.

        They also informed the Napolcom that they were the same policemen who were brought and restricted to the police camp on Election Day but a court ordered their release from detention in a decision dated May 17, 2007.