Pure hearsay macaya not in hiding kill plot is mere tsismis

HIGH-RANKING police officials in Western Visayas denied that Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya, Jr. has gone into hiding after the mauling incident involving him and Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. and Mayor Oscar Garin Sr. of Guimbal, Iloilo.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police chief, said Macaya is taking some rest at his home.

Reports earlier came out that Macaya is the target of an assassination plot.

But Macaya’s superior, Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo police chief, labeled the report as misinformation.

In fact, Tayaba said they could not establish where such report came from.

“I immediately talked to PO3 Macaya after we received such report. Apparently, someone told him that an assassination plot might be hatched to silence him. When I talked to the informant, he claimed that someone has just also relayed the information to him,” Tayaba said.

When police further tracked down the other sources of the report, they also claimed that another person relayed the information to them, thereby making the report pure hearsay.

“It appears for now that there are individuals who want to ride on with the issues,” Tayaba said.

The Iloilo police chief said Rep. Garin called him after receiving the report and vehemently denied any hand in the alleged assassination plot.

Meanwhile, Bulalacao believed that Macaya is not worried on reports that the Garins would harm him.

“He’s ready. He’s a trained police officer who has developed courage, in his years of service as a policeman,” he said.

Besides, “Alam niyang walang rason para gawan siya ng masama. In case, nakahanda din kaming sumuporta kay PO3 Macaya at gaya ng sinabi ko nitong mga nakalipas na mga araw, hindi siya pababayaan ng pamunuan ng PNP dito sa Region 6,” Bulalacao said.

The solon and his mayor-father, together with two John Does, were charged criminally and administratively after they allegedly handcuffed, manhandled, slapped, spat upon on his, face and threatened Macaya at gunpoint.

The incident prompted PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde to cancel all Permits to Carry Firearms outside of Residence (PTCFOR) and License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) issued by the PNP in favor of the Garins.

Lately, Mayor Garin was also stripped of his deputation powers over the police.