Benhur denies set-up allegation

CEBU, Philippines – Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon strongly denied he had set up radio blocktimer Apolinario "Jun" Arigo, Jr. so the radio blocktimer could be placed under arrest last Friday evening.

Salimbangon said he was surprised to learn that Arigo had pointed to him and his secretary as having set him up in Lawaan, Talisay City.

Personnel of the Investigative and Detective Management Bureau of the Mandaue City Police Office arrested Arigo in line with the two counts of libel filed against him by former Mandaue Mayor and current Board Member Thadeo Ouano. Regional Trial Court Judge Marilyn Yap had issued warrants for his arrest.

Arigo alleged that prior to his arrest, Salimbangon's secretary sent him a text message, saying the congressman was sending him two envelopes. Arigo said he told the secretary that he would just get the envelopes the next day as it was already late, but the secretary reportedly insisted she would just send the envelopes through Salimbangon's driver.

Thinking everything was in good faith, Arigo said he agreed to meet the driver at the Petron gas station a few meters from his house at 9:30 pm and even gave the color of his vehicle and plate number.

To his surprise, it was policemen from the Mandaue City Police Office who arrived and placed him under arrest.

But Salimbangon said he could not have staged the supposed set-up because he was not even aware that Ouano had filed cases against Arigo.

"Nganong ako man? Wa man gani ko nakahibalo nga may kaso diay siya nga gi-file ni Ouano," Salimbangon said.

Ouano's lawyer, Vicente Fernandez II, also confronted Arigo at MCPO right after his arrest and told the broadcaster that Ouano and Salimbangon were not conniving with each other.

"Kung unsa man ang ilang sabot ni Salimbangon, wala mi nakahibalo ana," Fernandez said. He also denied reports he almost engaged in a fistfight with Arigo at the police station.

Arigo stayed behind bars overnight last Friday and was released the next day after posting bail of P20,000.

Arigo, 50, has three radio programs in different radio stations namely DYDD, DYRF and DYKC. (FREEMAN)