Ombudsman clears former Ermita brgy chief, tanods

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has cleared former Ermita, Cebu City barangay captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta and his barangay tanods from charges for the alleged forcible confiscation of two gaming computers.

 Benito Vere, a resident of Ermita filed a criminal complaint for misconduct against Imok Rupinta and seven tanods Vicente Bosque, Sandro Garcia, Saldy Ramas, Danny Ramas, Bryan Mahilum, Salvano Francisco and Teofilo Dijacto but the anti-graft office dismissed the complaint due to insufficient evidence.

 Graft investigator Irish Amores in her 12-page decision stated that no liabilities can be had against the respondents as it appears that there was valid reason for the seizure of the complainant’s gaming computers.

 Vere, in his complaint, stated that respondents swooped down to his store and forcibly took his two gaming computers.

 “Notwithstanding my plea not to confiscate the computers, respondent barangay tanods forced to take the same and violently snatched its electrical cable wires in the presence of many people,” Vere said in his complaint.

 He added that the confiscation stemmed after his non-renewal of barangay permit to continue the operation of his gaming machines.

 “Despite my sincere plea and truthful promise that I will renew the permit, still respondents’ barangay tanods proceeded to confiscate the computers and brought the same to the barangay hall,” he said.

 Vere said he proceeded to the Barangay Hall and paid the dues of the permits but despite his payments, the tanods allegedly refused to return the computers to his store thus, he took it by himself.

He likewise said that when they were about to leave, Ramas told his daughter “Praning ka!” (You’re insane!), to the latter’s embarrassment.

 Vere revealed that because of the said incident, he asked for Rupinta’s help but to no avail.

 He alleged Rupinta refused to mediate or at least call the attention of the tanods and even informed him that he cannot issue a “certificate to file action in his favor if it involves his barangay tanods.”

Rupinta, in his answer submitted to the anti-graft office, stated that he received several complaints from the vendors, occupants and passersby regarding Vere’s operation of gaming machines placed near the street which is his basis to order the confiscation of the said machines.

 He added he already told Vere to transfer it elsewhere and not on the streets.

Rupinta said Vere has also been informed that it has become an obstruction, risks the safety of players and viewers and he was also told not to operate late at night to the wee hours to avoid disturbing the neighborhood.

 According to Rupinta, Vere operated the gaming computers without securing a business permit, which is a violation but despite the barangay’s efforts to inform him, Vere reportedly did not listen.

 Amores ruled that the confiscation made by respondents were valid as Rupinta already verbally informed Vere about the complaints from the occupants and passersby in the area.

 She said some of the arguments made by the respondents were never refuted by the complainant including the complaints about the noise created and others.

 As to the allegation that Ramas shouted at the complainant’s daughter and uttered bad words, Amores ruled it was unsubstantiated. – (FREEMAN)