Lapu-Lapu brgy. chief raps mayor, engr., cops

Embattled Basak, Lapu-Lapu City barangay captain Isabelito Darnayla yesterday filed an administrative complaint against Mayor Arturo Radaza, city engineer Rogelio Veloso and six city policemen before the Ombudsman.

Darnayla, together with barangay councilman Alberto Ochea and barangay resident Crisanto Augusto, filed the complaint for alleged grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard of Public Officials and Employees with grave oppression and abuse of authority against Radaza, Veloso, Lapu-Lapu City police chief Louie Oppus, police officer Francisco Baguio, city fireman Ateliano Berido, and SWAT members Filendo Navarro, Jose Caratao and Ronan Andales.

The three complainants, who also sought for the preventive suspension of the accused, were previously charged with sedition by the city police for allegedly stopping the barangay storm drainage project of the city government with force and intimidation last February 6.

In his five-page complaint, Darnayla said that Baguio, Andales and Navarro brought him to the police station and that he was surprised to know later that he, Ochea and Augusto were arrested for sedition.

"I was detained for a day without being informed of my rights and that arrest was illegally made under false pretenses of negotiations and that I was only exercising my Constitutional right to peaceful assembly for redress of grievances," Darnayla said.

Darnayla also claimed P250,000 damages and attorneys fees from the accused.

Judge Benedicto Cobarde earlier dismissed the sedition charge against Darnayla following the move of First Assistant Prosecutor Jesus Rodrigo Tagaan to withdraw the information of the case.

Tagaan's move followed after their office received a Review Order from the anti-graft office to further investigate the case.

Cobarde then allowed the withdrawal of the information and consequently ordered the dismissal of the case. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan