Police eye "illegal detention" charges vs Martinezes, et al.

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 chief Lani-o Nerez eyes an illegal detention case against Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. and all those who took part in the nine-hour stand-off during last Monday’s elections.

Nerez has started meeting with their lawyers to prepare the charges against those who were already identified to have taken part in blocking the national highway in Barangay Pulangbato, Bogo City last Monday afternoon preventing motorists from passing.

 “Sa pag-obstruct lang sa karsada daghan jud kaayo ang naapektohan. Una ang katong passengers sa ro-ro bus unya ang mga private individuals.” Nerez said

Aside from Martinez and the alleged members of the City Anti-Crime Task Force of Bogo the police are also planning to include in the complaint the owners of the private vehicles that were used as barricades.

Nerez said that the incident has pestered the motorists especially those passengers of a ro-ro bus who were on their way to attend the wake of their relative who passed away.

He assured that all the people involved in blocking the road will surely face charges.

Nerez urged the members of the media and the people who were affected during the incident to file separate complaints.

Defeated mayoral candidate Mariquita Yeung earlier promised to file a disqualification case against Martinez for allegedly committing “acts of terrorism” during the election day by preventing several of her supporters from going out to vote.

The mayor reportedly used the anti-crime group to harass her supporters. She is also eyeing a special election in Bogo City by seeking a declaration of failure of elections from Commission on Elections.

Martinez wanted the police to search the vehicle of 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon causing a stand-off. Salimbangon claimed he and the other people who were affected by it were held hostage by the Martinezes.

The Martinezes suspected that Salimbangon have high-powered firearms inside his vehicle.

Benhur defeated Celestino “Tining” Martinez III in the congressional race by a wide margin of over 70,000 votes.  (FREEMAN NEWS)