Calls for Isabela cop chief's relief mount over jueteng

ILAGAN, Isabela– After failing to meet the deadline for the stoppage of jueteng, the police director here is now facing mounting calls for his relief led by Gov. Grace Padaca herself.

Padaca last May had given Senior Supt. Jimmy Rivera, who had just been assigned as police director here earlier this year, five days to stop the illegal numbers game here.

But reports said the illegal activity continues to flourish throughout the province.

The embattled Rivera said he respects the governor’s decision, vowing that “If I have my marching orders, I will not stay even for one minute longer.”

Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes said the governor’s order for the police leadership here to stop jueteng came as an offshoot of a provincial board resolution, Resolution No. 42 calling for the stoppage of the illegal lottery in this country’s third largest province.

“Apparently, Rivera failed to meet the deadline prompting the governor to call for his relief,” said Reyes, who also presides over the provincial board.

Amid other issues thrown at the police official, Reyes said, that what really got Padaca’s ire was the report of seemingly unabated jueteng operations here, whose operators were reportedly using papers for government-sanctioned numbers games as legal cover.

Aside from the jueteng issue, Reyes cited the alleged failure of Rivera to extend courtesy to some local officials as well, as to attend important provincial events, had also reportedly triggered calls for his relief.

Reyes said the provincial leadership also felt slighted after Rivera failed to attend several important occasions in the province, like the recent 11-day Isabela’s founding anniversary celebrations.

“We didn’t see him any time during the event. He should attend provincial functions to show that he considers himself to be a part of the governor’s team,” Reyes said.

Padaca said she had written PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza asking for the relief of Rivera, and asked the PNP leadership that her decision be respected.

“There are mayors who have issues against Rivera. The vice governor himself has some questions on the way Rivera conducts his leadership. Congressman Edwin Uy also has issues against him,” said Padaca.

Rivera, who got the support of various police offices here for his leadership, said that he felt pained the governor was now among those calling for his relief when she was the very one who chose him for the police provincial director post earlier this year.