Reluya lawyers willing to testify

CEBU, Philippines - The legal and paralegal counsels of the Reluyas are willing to issue an affidavit once the Reluyas file a case against those responsible on the alleged ambush that had happened in barangay Balungag, San Fernando last May 13.

James Gonzales, one of the legal counsels, told The Freeman in an exclusive interview yesterday, that he was assigned in barangay Lantawan, one of the mountain barangays in San Fernando.

Gonzales said he was hated by those allied with the Canoys since Gonzales told the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) that he saw watchers of the Canoys peeping into the ballots of some voters to find out whom they had voted for.

He said that around 4:00 p.m. last Monday, he called the Reluyas in order to ask for a vehicle to fetch him in Lantawan since he felt he was no longer safe in the area.

A few minutes later, Atty. Dodong Badwel called Gonzales and told him a vehicle was already on the way.

However, Gonzales started to feel uncomfortable and nervous when Badwel continued telling him that the vehicle was ambushed in Balungag.

After learning of the incident, Gonzales was grateful that Reluya’s supporters helped him get three “habal-habal” (motorcycles), which he used to escape from the place.

Since he was already identified as a legal counsel of the Reluyas, he was advised by the Reluyas to change his clothes and dress like a civilian so as not to be identified and he was in between the two motorcycles with another person at his back to protect him.

Gonzales said he reached the Poblacion at around 7 p.m. thankful he was safe.

On the other hand, Benedicto Cobarde Jr., Reluya’s para-legal counsel, told The Freeman that he was in Balungag along with Atty. Mileneo Pascual.

Cobarde said that around 4 p.m. a Safari SUV of the Reulyas arrived in Balungag loaded with supplies and food that will be given to their supporters.

The driver of the Safari SUV, Antonio Kong, 61, who was accompanied by Lyca Selma, 15, and Joy Saducos, were all shocked after the alleged ambush.

Kong was wounded on his back due to a gun shot.

Cobarde said the seat belt saved Kong’s life since the gun shot hit the seat belt and not Kong’s neck.

He said 10 minutes after the SUV arrived, Cobarde heard gun shots and voters who were in line, ran away.

With what had happened, Cobarde said he started feeling uncomfortable and wanted to go out of the place but did not know how.

He said a TV-5 vehicle had saved them and Cobarde said he will always be grateful to TV-5.

Cobarde said the TV-5 reporter allowed them to ride in the vehicle and instead of going back, they went straight to Carcar since they received a report that there were already armed men waiting for them.

To recall, Kong earlier told reporters a man wearing white T-shirt shot him with a shotgun.

On the other hand, Senior Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, San Fernando Police Station chief, told The Freeman yesterday they are still investigating the incident.

Pelare said the Reluyas have not yet filed any case against those responsible of the alleged ambush and none of the Reluyas have gone to the police station.

Pelare said that on Monday, they are scheduled to submit a report to the provincial headquarter to relate what happened during election day.

The Freeman tried to call the Reluyas but the calls were not returned.

Abe Canoy and Mikko Canoy won as mayor and vice mayor of San Fernando, respectively, over Neneth and Nonoy Reluya.  (FREEMAN)