BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A dispute over a city government plan to provide drivers for the city police has erupted into a public word war, with Councilor Jose Maria “Nene” Dela Llana challenging Iloilo provincial capitol information chief Jose Nereo Lujan to a debate and asking Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to look into the official’s social media activities.
The clash began after Lujan shared a post concerning Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño’s clarification that non-uniformed personnel are not allowed to drive police patrol vehicles.
In his post, Lujan used the phrase “wala nalung-ong,” or lacking understanding of the issue.
The controversy stemmed from Iloilo City mayor Raisa Treñas’ offer to Tuaño to deploy city government drivers to assist the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Dela Llana defended the proposal as a “noble idea” aimed at augmenting the police force and allowing police personnel to concentrate on their responsibilities.
“Kun normal roving lang ini kag indi para sa mga mission order nga may specific operational purpose, why not? Kulang gid ang aton mga kapulisan. Ako gani, naluoy sa aton mga pulis kay mabudlay gid ang ila ubra nga mag-monitor kag magpatrolya sa aton syudad 24/7,” Dela Llana said.
He clarified that the proposal was not intended to put civilian drivers behind the wheel of police vehicles during law enforcement operations.
“Ang akon ya argument sini, pwede ‘ya maka-drive ang isa ka sibilyan nga job hire sang salakyan nga indi ya patrol… Amo na ang purpose sang city government nga hatagan sila tawo,” he said.
According to Dela Llana, civilian drivers could handle administrative-related driving duties, freeing police personnel for patrol and operational work.
The councilor said disagreements should center on government policy rather than become personal.
“Let’s talk about policy. Oh, ano ang policy sang city government nga indi mo uyon?” Dela Llana said.
He then directly challenged Lujan.
“If you disagree, then debate me, Sir. With all due respect, Sir Nereo, my idol,” Dela Llana wrote in his Facebook post.
LUJAN CITES PNP POLICY
Lujan responded by saying he had sent Dela Llana a copy of Philippine National Police (PNP) Memorandum Circular 2012-002, which he said provides that mobility assets should be driven by uniformed personnel.
“Sis Nene, guin send ko da sa imo,” Lujan wrote.
He added: “Relax ah, indi nagay ugtas. See u!”
Dela Llana, however, reiterated that the city government’s proposal involved drivers who could assist with administrative tasks and was not intended to authorize civilians to drive police patrol vehicles during operations.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONDUCT QUESTIONED
The dispute subsequently widened beyond the police driver issue after Dela Llana questioned Lujan’s other social media posts involving Treñas and several city councilors.
Dela Llana said Lujan had repeatedly criticized Treñas and used what he considered inappropriate language against the city mayor.
He also cited a video posted by Lujan involving him and councilors Rex Marcus Sarabia and Miguel Treñas that featured AI-generated background music.
While acknowledging that government officials enjoy freedom of expression, Dela Llana said they should exercise caution when using social media, particularly when their posts involve fellow public officials.
He also questioned why content unrelated to Lujan’s official functions was allegedly being posted during office hours.
“With all due respect Gov., lantawa bala imo empleyado hu. Office hours mga saot namon ni Rex gina-post ya. Te, ano labot sang probinsya. Ano ang purpose nga public information officer ka. Ano’ng koneksyon?” Dela Llana said.
He described Lujan’s conduct as “unbecoming” of a government official.
“Unbecoming ka because you are a public officer. Kapitolyo ka pa. Pwede ta ka gani sabton nga sagi ka di ya intra sa syudad haw?” he added.
Dela Llana then called on Defensor to look into the matter, saying the governor should be aware of the social media activities of a provincial government employee./PN
