- Muarip’s transfer stopped abruptly during turnover rites
IN A weird turn of events, the turnover rites of Davao City Police Office chief, Colonel Mannan Muarip, were halted in the middle of the ceremony on Friday, Jan. 23, when Camp Crame handed a directive to maintain the status quo.
The turnover of command was suspended just moments before the DCPO flag—the symbol of authority—could be handed over to the incoming officer. Muarip was supposed to be succeeded by Col. Peter B. Madria, currently the chief of the Police Regional Office XI Operations Division.
P/BGen. Mariano Rodriguez, PRO XI deputy regional director for administration, announced the sudden pause to the surprised attendees.
Rodriguez cited “orders from higher headquarters” as the reason for the immediate suspension of the transition.
PRO XI spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey confirmed that Muarip will continue in his current capacity as the DCPO director.
Earlier in the day, Dela Rey told reporters that Muarip would be temporarily assigned to the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Section while waiting for his new assignment.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte has complained that the Marcos administration has developed a bad habit of reassigning Davao City’s police officers without informing the local government beforehand.
The recent report about Muarip’s transfer prompted the City Information Office to release a statement. Harvey James Lanticse, acting Davao City Hall spokesperson, said, “We heard that Col. Muarip will be relieved from his post as DCPO City Director this morning. Once again, the LGU was neither informed nor consulted on this matter.”
