Sheriff goes to Ombudsman: Mary Ann, Joel face charges

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal and administrative complaints were filed against Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos, Tinago barangay councilman Joel Garganera and several others before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

Complainant Constancio Alimurang, in his six-page affidavit complain, accused de los Santos, Garganera,

Andrew Biton, Kenneth Siasar, Samuel Geron, Russel Almario, Eduardo Duenas and Celso Nicor and several other John Does (who are supporters of de los Santos and Garganera) for violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as amended, Article 124 (Arbitrary Detention), Article 266 (Slight Physical injuries) and Article 294 (Robbery) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.

De los Santos, Geron, Siasar and Biton were also charged for administrative infraction of oppression and gross neglect of duty.

The complaint through his legal counsel Julius Ceasar Entise is asking the Ombudsman that a preliminary investigation be conducted immediately and that information be filed after finding a probable cause.

Alimurong also prayed that in light of the overwhelmingly strong evidence of guilt, the respondents be preventively suspended during the pendency of the investigation.

Alimurong alleged that on May 8 at around 10 a.m., six unidentified men on board motorcycles intercepted him and the tricycle driver Lito Dignos then grabbed a plastic bag containing election campaign paraphernalia.

He later identified Biton among the men. The complainant alleged that Biton ordered them to proceed to the house of de los Santos then later on Siasar, a Lahug barangay councilor, and other men arrived and likewise ordered them to head to the house of the barangay captain.

Alimurong said that he opted to run to ask for help, but Biton and Geron blocked his way and pushed him back.

He was detained at the Mabolo Police Station on the said date and later released on May 11 after no complaint was filed against him.

“That a cursory perusal of the barangay blotter book of Lahug will clearly reveal that I was apprehended for possessing campaign materials against de los Santos,” the complaint read.

He added that the said blotter made no mention of the firearm that was allegedly confiscated from him.

Alimurong said that there is no doubt that his apprehension, mauling, and detention were all politically motivated.

His wife, Elizabeth is one of the political leaders of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, a local party headed by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

De los Santos, who ran for the position of North District representative, belongs to opposition party Kugi Uswag Sugbo.

In an interview with The Freeman, de los Santos strongly denied the accusations lodged against her by Alimurong.

“Not true. He was the one who distributed derogatory materials against me, which is illegal and later did I know that he is sheriff of Branch 16, another illegal act of electioneering,” de los Santos said.

Alimurong further alleged that Biton, Siasar and three Lahug barangay tanods started to hit him on the different parts of his body and prevented him from going out of de los Santos’ house.

That despite of his pleading to de los Santos to stop her people from maltreating him, the latter simply watched him being mauled and when he was asked by the barangay captain about his residence, he answered that he is from MacArthur Boulevard.

Then, Alimurong said, de los Santos called up Garganera, to determine whether he is really from MacArthur Boulevard.

He added that while they were on their way out of de los Santos residence, her supporters, Biton, Siasar and companions of Garganera mauled him, hit him and one of Garganera’s companion took the P600 in his pocket and all of these happened in the presence of the barangay captain. (FREEMAN NEWS)