Castro files libel raps vs. 13 immigration agents

Assistant Cebu City prosecutor Mary Ann Castro has filed a libel case against 13 confidential agents of the Bureau of Immigration who were allegedly responsible for the circulation of a petition for the supposed recall of her detail order at the immigration.

Castro said that the petition for her recall dated June 26 addressed to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales allegedly contained libelous and defamatory remarks directed against her person with the "obvious and sinister aim of demolishing my honor and character."

Castro named Brandon Enad, Rey Cuizon, Ferdie Balbuena, Ian Rommel Retuya, Rhea Hubahib, Erlinda Chua, Davie Soria, Nelson Gallentos, Acani Datu-Imam, Carlo Magno Salazar, Jefferson Callino, Emmanuel Torres and Hope Latorena as respondents of the libel case she filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

The petition, which the respondents signed, accused Castro of spreading rumors and besmirching the name and reputation of the Bureau of Immigration. The petition likewise accused Castro of meddling with the investigation of foreigners and hiring a support staff, which reportedly acts as fixers.

"Certainly it connotes the idea that I am a vicious gossipmonger and all-out in stinging the personalities of other people," Castro said.

The allegation in the petition that she meddled in the investigation of foreigners is imputing that she is usurping an authority and that all transactions she has in the Bureau of Immigration is illegal and unauthorized.

According to Castro, the respondents failed to cite any statement she made that ruin the reputation of the Bureau of Immigration. What the respondents allegedly did is just to make sweeping allegations that would put her in bad light not only before the eyes of the justice secretary but also to the eyes of the public.

Castro is asking for damages but did not demand a specific amount saying that she would leave it for the court to decide.

Castro's detail order at the Bureau of Immigration-7 has already been recalled recently. Gonzales has detailed her on a partial basis in the immigration office in Iloilo City. - Fred P. Languido