Police control suspended overpunsalan’s arrest

National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan, vice chairperson and executive officer, announced on Friday the suspension of police powers and control in the Municipality of San Simon, Pampanga, which were previously under the supervision of Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr.

This move follows Mayor Punsalan’s recent arrest in an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation. He allegedly accepted part of an P80 million bribe in exchange for a favorable resolution from the local government, as claimed by complainant Realsteel Corporation.

In response, Calinisan has ordered the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to launch a motu proprio (on its own initiative) investigation. The probe aims to consider the full revocation of the authority granted by Napolcom to Local Chief Executives — such as mayors and governors — to exercise operational supervision and control over police forces within their jurisdictions.

This authority traditionally allows local executives to issue directives on police operations, assign personnel, develop safety plans, and appoint police chiefs, provided they meet legal qualifications.