Sogod VM raps brgy captain for disturbing political rally

CEBU, Philippines - One Cebu mayoralty candidate and incumbent Sogod Vice-Mayor Nicasio “Nick” Bacayo yesterday filed criminal charges against a barangay captain for allegedly causing commotion during a rally last Saturday afternoon.

Together with his legal counsel and witnesses, Bacayo filed before the provincial prosecutor’s office a complaint for grave threat and the prohibition and dissolution of peaceful meetings under the revised penal code against Brgy. Tabunok Captain Crisfin Reteza Jr.

According to Atty. Jemil Christian Marquez, Bacayo’s legal counsel, Reteza threatened Bacayo and other candidates under his slate when the barangay captain allegedly stormed inside the gymnasium where Bacayo’s party was having a rally.

Based on the affidavit and the police blotter, Reteza was quoted saying “Nagunsa man mo diri? Ako’y kapitan. Ako’y hawud diri. Pamusilon hinuon tamo.”

“That was a threat to inflict harm to this person,” said Marquez.

Bacayo narrated in an interview that he was in the middle of his speech when Reteza barged into the gym, threatened them and took the microphone away from him.

He even acknowledged the barangay captain, said Bacayo, when Reteza arrived but the former said he was surprised when the barangay official disrupted the event.

“There are documents to support the organization of the event,” said Marquez.

Bacayo said they have asked permission from Mayor Lissa Marie Durano Streegan through Reteza to use the public covered court or plaza in barangays where they will have their political rallies.

In the letter request which was received by the office of Durano-Streegan on April 16, they asked permission to hold rallies in Barangays Bagatayan, Bawo, Cabalawan, Calumboyan, Damolog, Dakit, Ibabao, Nahus-an, Poblacion and Tabunok.

But Bacayo said they did not receive any reply despite several follow-ups.

Bacayo said that as candidates, they all have the right to campaign in their respective areas and they presumed that it was approved since they were never given any reply that it was denied.

Reteza was allegedly drunk when he stormed inside the gym, said Bacayo, which was why he requested for the barangay captain to undergo a liquor test after he was apprehended by the Regional Patrol Group.

But Bacayo complained that no test was made and he was never made to speak with Reteza even if he requested to since the police released Reteza.— (FREEMAN)