‘NO SACRED COWS’: Mayor awaits results of probe on rift between councilor, cop

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – “Kung sin-o ma-igo, sorry na lang, that’s how it will be.”

This was the statement of Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, pending the result of the investigation on the conflict between Councilor Al Victor Espino and Police Major Junji Liba, head of Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), which led to threats of shooting and bodily harm.

“No sacred cows aton gina-tindugan,” Benitez said in a media interview after he cast his vote for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) at Mandalagan Elementary School in Barangay Mandalagan yesterday.

Benitez said that they will have a closed-door meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the matter and to check the result of the investigation being conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).

A few days ago, Espino and a BTAO personnel exchanged accusations following a heated confrontation in the latter’s office.

This prompted Espino to mull charges against Liba and three other personnel allegedly involved in the said altercation for damaging his reputation. The BTAO personnel earlier said that he’s also willing to file a complaint against Espino.

“Whatever the investigation leads to, that would be the course of action that we will take,” Benitez said.

Meanwhile, Benitez said that he was already informed about the suggestion of Police Colonel Aliño, BCPO director, to remove BTAO from the compound of the BCPO headquarters for security reasons.

Benitez said that they are considering it, but they will have to discuss it also on Tuesday.