Cops to probe harassment claim of Reluya

CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office-7 director Brigadier General Debold Sinas has promised to look into the harassment complaint of San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya against her opponent, businessman Ruben Feliciano.

Sinas made the assurance after Reluya claimed that Feliciano had been harassing her and her political supporters. The mayor also accused Feliciano of threatening to kill them because of their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“We are looking into that, I have asked na pud sa mga pulis didto (the police there) about the security situation,” Sinas said.

The regional police commander, however, believes that the alleged threats were not serious and could just be out of intense political rivalry in the area. He said it is normal for candidates to claim that they are being harassed by their opponents.

“Kinsa man moistorya wala sila giharass? It’s election. Gamay nga lihok ‘giharass mi’, imbestigahan walay motingog. Gusto lang pulis moimbestiga. But rest assured we are considering all aspects didto,” Sinas said.

San Fernando Police Station chief Captain Lymel Pasquin said they are constantly having dialogues with the local officials to maintain peace and order. San Fernando is one of the areas under the watchlist of the Commission on Elections for the upcoming elections.

It was even classified under category red because of the series of killings targeting the town officials and the alleged presence of private armed groups. The classification was recently downgraded to category orange.

Reluya, who survived in an ambush in Talisay City earlier this year where her husband and two others died, is planning to press criminal charges for harassment and grave threats against Feliciano.

“Kita dili man ta isog pero ako lang likayan nga mag-abot among dalan kay ako di gyud ko mo-atras. Napatay na gud akong bana,” Reluya was quoted in earlier report. — FPL  (FREEMAN)