The people should be the ones to decide whom they will believe in. This was the statement issued by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim in the aftermath of the sudden replacement of Supt. Rodolfo Llorca. The mayor had earlier questioned the timing of Llorca's relief saying it sent the wrong signals. “When the arrests started to pile up and suddenly you relieve the provincial director, what message are you sending,” Lim said. He said that just when many people including expatriates were starting to feel assured because some of the hold-ups were solved, Llorca's relief makes them ask why. Gov. Edgar Chatto, however, denied that he had a hand in Llorca's relief.  Chatto issued the denial which has drawn flak from many sectors who had welcomed the series of arrests.

Lim said he was not questioning Llorca's replacement since it is a prerogative of the governor but wondered why Chatto continues to wash his hands on the issue. “If the governor believes that Llorca deserves to be replaced and worked for his replacement, he should be man enough to admit it instead of just denying it outright,” he added.  The mayor said everybody knows that Llorca is independent-minded specially since he is not identified with any Boholano political faction. This could be a source of discomfort for Chatto who might want to have someone who enjoys his trust and confidence. “What is wrong with admitting that he wants one whose wife is from Balilihan?” the mayor asked. Lim maintains that Llorca, who served for only four months, must have developed a certain following despite the short time that he spent here. “This could be the reason why no one wants to claim responsibility for his relief,” he added.

The mayor said that those who are trying to muddle the issue by training their guns on him should not feel so secure that they have fooled the people.   “If I am bad as they always picture me, does not justify the relief of a good officer?” he asked. The mayor, however, said the people now have heard both sides of the issue – meaning those who wanted Llorca out and those who question the relief. “Contrary to what some people think, our people are intelligent enough to weigh things for themselves,” he noted. Lim said the issue is now in the hands of the people to decide whom they will believe. “If they think that our peace and order situation is going to improve just because my enemies say bad things about me, so be it,” he declared. On the other hands, Lim said there will always be those who will realize that what is at stake is the state of the peace and order in the province. “It is not about my performance or more so my character because that is not the issue. I have proven myself even as I continue to work harder,” he added.