Radio blocktimer arrested for libel

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly maligning the name of a politician in his previous broadcasts, a radio blocktimer was arrested Friday evening in Barangay Lawaan, Talisay City, by the personnel of the Investigative and Detective Management Bureau of the Mandaue City Police Office.

Apolinario “Jun” Arigo, 50, a broadcast blocktimer of radio dyKC was arrested at around 9:45 p.m. last Friday night by a team of IDMB Personnel led by SPO1 Arnulfo Quiachon while he was standing near a Petron gasoline station in Lawaan.

Arigo was served two warrant of arrests for two counts of libel signed by Judge Marilyn Lagura Yap of the RTC Branch 28 in Mandaue City last October 7. His bail was recommended at P10,000 for each count.

The libel case was filed against Arigo by former Mandaue City Mayor and now Provincial Board member Thadeo Ouano after Arigo, in his radio program, alleged that Ouano embezzled money from the bank he used to work in and went to the United States, subsequently buying four franchises of a popular fastfood chain upon his return.

Ouano denied embezzling any amount from the bank, as shown by the certification issued by the bank itself, and further denied that he owned any fastfood branch.

When the said commentaries were allegedly aired in September 28, 2009 Ouano was a private citizen and did not hold any government post.

“Sobra naman kaayo ang iyang gibuhat, nasakitan ko pag-ayo kay dili lang ang akong mga anak, ginikanan apan apil naman sad nuon ang akong mga apo ang nauwanan busa I have no recourse but to stop the malignment,” Ouano said.

Ouano even said that Arigo seems to have already forgotten that his family even helped him once when he needed money for his hospitalization.

He said that if he embezzled money from the bank where he once worked he would have neither been awarded for loyalty nor retired from service.

Arigo claimed his arrest was intended as harassment because the warrant of arrest was dated October 7, but served only Friday night so that he cannot immediately post bail.

He further alleged that he was being set up by both Ouano and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

He said he thought that he will be receiving something from Salimbangon as he received a text messages from the official’s secretary last Friday night asking for his whereabouts as she wanted to give something to him upon the instruction of the representative.

Arigo said he replied that he will get it yesterday morning as it was already night time and had just finished his radio program.

However, he was allegedly told by the secretary that he will just send it through the driver as he will be leaving for Medellin yesterday dawn. Thinking that everything was in good faith, Arigo told her that he will meet the driver at the Petron gas station which is a few meters away from his house in Talisay around 9:30 pm last Friday night. He even gave them the color of his vehicle and its plate number.

Upon reaching in Talisay he was surprised to see the three policemen already in the area, he also saw another SUV with a group of Ouano’s relatives inside.

As to the suspected connivance, Ouano said he has no contact with Salimbangon.

Arigo said that he did not expect the warrant of arrest because when the cases against him were elevated to court he immediately made a petition for review and he believed that these were still pending before the Department of Justice.

After his arrest in Talisay he was immediately brought to the Mandaue City Police Office yesterday night and was detained at the Subangdaku Police station.

He was released yesterday noon after he was able to post bail before the sala of judge Silvestre Maamo through his counsel Francisco Amit. — /BRP (FREEMAN)