BAGUIO CITY – The City Council is on the verge of passing a resolution condemning the unceremonious transfer of SPO3 Alberto C. Tadeo, a veteran policeman of the Baguio City Police Office – Traffic Management Branch (BCPO-TMB), to Apayao upon the alleged instigation of Senior Superintendent Gregorio Lim, deputy regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera and declaring Senior Superintendent Lim as ‘persona non grata’ in Baguio City for abuse of power.
(See related story: Relief of devoted traffic cop slammed)
The resolution initially authored by Councilor Edgar M. Avila but to be authored by all members of the local legislative body once encated stated the act of Senior Superintendent Lim in ordering the outright transfer of SPO3 Tadeo to Apayao simply because he reminded his security escort and driver of violating the city’s number coding scheme is considered grave abuse of power and authority and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman.
It can be recalled that in the morning of December 19, 2016 at the city public market along Magsaysay Avenue, SPO3 Tadeo apprehended a private motor vehicle for violating the city’s number coding scheme.
Subsequently, the driver of the vehicle and his passengers identified themselves as fellow members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned to Senior Superintendent Lim and after having identified themselves as PNP members, Tadeo reportedly gave them a warning and reminded them of their violation but did not issue a traffic citation ticket to them and proceeded to perform is routine activities as a traffic enforcer.
(Update: Mayor wants face to face confrontation in Tadeo case)
The resolution noted that in the afternoon of the same day, to his shock and chagrin, SPO3 Tadeo received an order emanating from Senior Superintendent Lim relieving him from the BCPO-TMB and transferring him to Apayao.
While the transfer of personnel is a prerogative of the PNP and no doubt, uniformed personnel could not question the same the resolution pointed out the proximate cause of the transfer of SPO3 Tadeo was his apprehension of the motor vehicle of Senior Superintendent Lim, who is so full of himself that he feels entitled to a privilege not given to ordinary citizens of the city.
For being a sworn duty, the resolution stated SPO3 Tadeo will now face hardship equivalent to cruelty and unusual punishment two years before his retirement which is considered to be undeserving as he is known for his reputation as a hardworking and dedicated police officer who has proven honor and integrity.
Despite efforts of local officials to reach out to Senior Superintendent Lim for a face to face dialogue between the concerned parties to settle the matter, the police official refused to give in to the said request as if he is an untouchable police officer who believes that he is exempted from whatever rules and regulations that are being implemented in the city.
Further, the actuations of Senior Superintendent Lim is considered a dictatorship on his part that he refuses to listen to the clamor of the officialdom and the people to return Tadeo to the city where he has been effective in performing his duties and responsibilities as a police officer. Copies of the resolution will be submitted to PNP chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) for their appropriate action. By Dexter A. See
so far kayo pa lang po ang naapprehend na nagsabi ng negative against the police officer….. sad for you kaso iba-iba lang po kasi ang tingin natin sa apprehension.
I was also apprehended by SPO3 Tadeo, unfortunately, he was to harsh in apprehending me as a TAXI DRIVER…
Officer Lim should never be allowed to enter Baguio City. And if ever he entered, he should be arrested and imprisoned for violation of the City Ordinance declaring him as Persona non-grata….
Sinita ako ni Sir Tadeo noon nag kamala ako sa traffic. I appreciate this police officer for doing his job. He should be awarded and promoted for performing his duty. It is idiot Lim who should be transferred and demoted. Ting nan nga natin kung ano magawa nina Apo Duterte n Apo Bato dito coz they profess to be law abides and principled enforcers. If wala mangyari di na ako bilib. Shame on Lim.
I was also apprehended by Officer Tadeo for no plate and it was all my fault..I even shout at him but he remain calm..later on I humbly say sorry and submit my driver’s license since he courteously explain why….The Police officer should stay in the city for no other Police Officer can do his style..He maybe sarcastic to see but he is devoted to his job honestly..He might not be as handsome as the Coronel evicting him but he is true man directing the traffic flow under the heat of the sun unlike the coronel again sitting in his soft swivel with his bunch of brainless escorts doing………tsk tsk tsk…..
Thanks…. Helpful to inform us of what is happening in the city… 🙂
very true he should havscolded his men
Lim should scold his men for not following laws on city vehicle codong not to dismiss / removed officer performing mandated order..
Thanks, great article.