Punta Engaño poll violence: Police turn over evidence to CIDG

CEBU, Philippines – The Lapu-Lapu City police have turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group all the evidence recovered from the alleged ambush incident in Punta Engaño during last Monday's barangay elections.

Among the pieces of evidence turned over to CIDG were sample ballots stapled with money and list of voters's names, two mobile phones, a wallet with cash and a pair of red slippers.

Deputy regional director for operations Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus, who also head the special investigation task group created to look into the incident, said they will evaluate the evidence submitted by the Lapu-Lapu police to determine its usefulness in the case.

The police have already filed murder charges against six barangay tanods who were allegedly responsible for the death of Demetrio Sumalpong.

Charged before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor's Office were Remigio Bantilo Jr., Alejandro Beloria, Timmy Morata, Nicky Boy Rodelas, Raynor Siyang, Juanito Dumaguen and Edgar Mabuang.

Bantilo and Beloria were arrested after they were also injured during the incident while the other suspects remained at large.

The tanods claimed that they were ambushed by the group of SPO1 Diogenes Carillo. According to the, they were just responding to a report of alleged vote-buying in the area when they were fired upon.

A shootout ensued killing Sumalpong, driver of former barangay captain Angel Rodriguez who was then a candidate for captain in Punta Engaño against incumbent captain Lourdes Ibag, who went out to buy bottled water.

Carillo was also placed under arrest for violation of the Comelec gun ban and illegal possession of firearms. He was also charged for such violations and administratively before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Oppus said that because of the filing of the administrative charges against Carillo before the anti-graft office, the special investigation task group will already yield to the Ombudsman.

"We still have to wait for the result from the Ombudsman since sila ang momando sa lower unit before we will present our recommendation," Oppus said.  (FREEMAN)