The Dominican Police Chief took a day off from his police work to personally travel to San Juan de la Maguana by helicopter to follow through on “instructions” given by President Hipolito Mejia. In his ironic style, President Mejia had “ordered” Candelier to investigate a claim by a PRD leader in western Las Matas de Farfán. The PRD leader had accused the potable water director of lying when he said there were no water problems in Las Matas de Farfán during a government council meetings. In his peculiar way, President Mejia had ordered Candelier to investigate the claim and “put in prison” the PRD party colleague if he was not telling the truth. Candelier didn’t waste time in fulfilling the “order.” He traveled by helicopter to Las Matas where he found out this was not true and that the water service had been restored. On the spot he arrested Pedro Montero. Montero was released 48 hours after being in jail and retracting his statement. Candelier justified his actions saying that “the President has to be respected.” Local press have harshly criticized Candelier’s reaction as illegal and excessive abuse of his responsibilities and a matter of much concern.
