By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

La Castellana Mayor Rhumayla Nicor-Mangalimutan expressed concern yesterday over having a new police chief appointed to her municipality which she was previously on leave.
“I was surprised, after going on official leave from May 17- 19, I returned to work to know that a new police chief had been appointed here,” she said.
Recently-retired Police Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban relieved Chief Inspector Gary Alan Resuma as La Castellana police chief and appointed Chief Inspector Joshua Villasis as his replacement.
Villasis paid a courtesy call on Mangalimutan, yesterday.
The mayor said she is “not complaining nor questioning the newly appointed police officer,” but claimed the proper procedure was not followed.
“The process was not followed,” Mangalimutan said. “They relieved my police chief without me knowing about it.”
Mangalimutan said, as mayor, she has the right to choose who she wants, based on a list of their recommended appointees.
“I should know, being a former police officer myself,” she stressed.
The mayor added, she was not provided any reasons as to why Resuma was relieved.
Pressed on what her next move would be, Mangalimutan said she has no choice but to accept Villasis./WDJ