Margot to Brgy execs: Return vehicles to avoid arrest

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City acting Mayor Margarita "Margot" Osmeña has appealed to the remaining barangay officials who have not returned their city-issued vehicles to turn over the cars immediately to avoid possible arrest.

Osmeña cited as an example the arrest of Barangay Labangon councilman Rudy Tabasa on Friday evening by the personnel of General Services Office for failure to return the city-issued vehicle despite a recall order from the city government.

 "Please return. Let's just avoid things like this happening. Just return," Osmeña said.

  There are still more than 10 barangay officials that are yet to comply with the May 17 memorandum of Osmeña.

She admitted the arrest of Tabasa may be perceived as warning for those who remained defiant of her order. The acting mayor, however, denied involvement in the arrest. In fact, Osmeña said she did not expect it. But, on the other hand, she admitted it was not surprising. 

"I didn't expect but I'm not surprised because it's been three weeks and we just wanted to go back for the very reason why the memo was issued, to have an inventory. That's it," Osmeña said.

Two GSO personnel placed Tabasa under citizen's arrest on Friday evening for refusing to return the city-owned vehicle.

Who ordered the arrest?

Ronald Malacora, GSO acting department head, denied ordering Tabasa's arrest. He also has no idea on who instructed his personnel to arrest the barangay official.

"Niadto sila sa police para mopaila sa sakyanan. Nanawag og ayuda ang police aron pag-ila sa kinsa ning mga tawhana ug sa mga sakyanan. Mao rana," Malacora said.

But, Senior Inspector Jovito Labra, deputy chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said his men were only asked to assist GSO personnel.

Cebu City Police Office chief Senior Superintendent Benjamin Santos Jr. said there was also no instruction from him to arrest Tabasa. He explained that the police could not make the arrest because they have no personal knowledge of the case.

He said the police were only there to maintain peace and order when the GSO personnel went to the house of Tabasa. Santos explained that what happened earlier was Osmeña reported to CCPO the unreturned vehicle.

"Ibig sabihin na na-blotter, something went wrong. Merong incident. Then after the blotter, the police will investigate if this case is covered ng police o covered ng barangay. Pag-cover ng barangay, i-refer sa barangay for mediation pag-hindi naman, we will conduct investigation," Santos said.

Meanwhile, Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, vice president of the Association of Barangay Councils, deplored Osmeña's "threat" now that they are still mourning over the passing of a colleague-Adlaon Barangay Captain Elvis Narra.

 Narra died in a motorcycle accident on the day he returned his service vehicle to the city for inventory. The vehicle was already reissued to the barangay.

Garganera said the barangay officials do not intend to defy the order of the acting mayor. He said they are only waiting for Osmeña's answer to their query on whether or not their service vehicles are covered in the memorandum considering that these are also used for emergency purposes.

"We are not here to defy or to delay or there's an intent to own the vehicle. Ang amo lang, tubaga lang gyod ang pangutana namo. Kon moingon sila nga apil among mga sakyanan sa memo, i-uli gyud namo," Garganera said.

Tabasa, however, claimed he was not aware of the recall order. He said he did not receive the memorandum.

"How can councilor Tabasa said that he didn't know that he's supposed to return the vehicle? Everybody knew, except him?" Osmeña asked.

Tabasa was released last Saturday after Team Rama's lawyers Ernesto Rama, Benjamin Bongon, Francisco Amit Jr., and Oliver Booc files a petition for release on bail and/or recognizance before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

The petition was granted by MTCC Vice Executive Judge Pamela Baring-Uy. Tabasa, however, still has to face inquest proceedings before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office. (FREEMAN)