CEBU CITY: The city police director here assured on Monday that maximum tolerance will be exercised should dismissed mayor Michael Rama enter Cebu City Hall to reclaim his post after the lapse of the 180-day preventive suspension issued by the Ombudsman. In a press conference, Col. Antonietto Can~ete, Cebu City Police Office director, clarified that Rama can still go to the city hall but only as a private citizen. According to Philippines News Agency, Can~ete warned the former mayor, citing the arrest of a former department head on Friday for usurping the post of a city administrator. Can~ete, with the help of his subordinates, arrested lawyer Collin Rosell after he announced to the media that he was reassuming his post as city administrator, entered the mayor's office, and signed a memorandum. 'His arrest was in flagrante delicto, which is allowed under the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure,' the police chief said. Can~ete, who is also a lawyer, said the same maximum tolerance would be applied on Rama's supporters, whom he advised to secure a permit if they would hold rallies. In a press conference at his office, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the mayor's office where Rosell was arrested remained padlocked to preserve it as 'scene of the crime.' 'Of course, we will exercise maximum tolerance but if they will do illegal acts again, they (the local police) will do what they have to do,' Garcia said. Garcia informed his constituents that business would remain as usual at the city hall and that employees must focus on their jobs and 'always try for excellence.' In a letter dated Nov. 11, Rama wrote a letter addressed to Ombudsman Samuel Martires, informing the anti-graft body he 'shall resume to function as the duly elected Mayor of the City of Cebu effective immediately.' 'The six (6) month preventive suspension lapsed after 180 days on November 6, 2024,' he said. However, the Ombudsman dismissed Rama from service on Oct. 2 over nepotism charges, with an order perpetually banning him from holding government service. Rama failed to get an injunction to stop the execution of the anti-graft body's order.