Taguig mayor, 5 others charged by Ombudsman

The office of the Ombudsman filed yesterday criminal charges against the mayor of Taguig and five others for their alleged involvement in burning the houses of 18 Muslim families in Maharlika Village two years ago.

Charged for violation of Article 321, Paragraph A of the Revised Penal Code were Mayor Ricardo Papa Jr., Councilor Robert Dionisio, municipal engineer Renato Maniquiz, former Taguig police chief Superintendent Artemio Bermido; and Barangay Chairman Rolando Olano.

Ombudsman records showed the charges against Papa and his co-accused stemmed from the demolition of the houses of the complainants Maila Medalla, Mustpha Mahmond, Naradin Omar, Muslim Ampaso, Ablong Alfred, Manlama Haris, Maraye Faisal, Sipodan Maraye, Roserel Virtudazo, Roxan Virtudazo, Ustads Yusop Mama, Monera Macaraig, Alancabong Mestares, Mosama Azis, Faruk Omar, Akmal Sario, Alanny Denaraton, and Dancongan Bonso, all located at Bay Breeze, Wawa, Tambak, Hagonoy, Taguig.

Ombudsman Prosecutor Melinda Diaz-Salcedo recommended P40,000 bail each for the temporary liberty of each of the accused.

Investigation reports submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman showed that on Sept. 2, 1998, Papa ordered the demolition of the houses of the complainants.

At the height of the demolition operations, investigators claimed Papa, with the help of his co-accused, allegedly set the houses of the complainants on fire leading to the destruction of some P404,600 worth of property.

Efforts to get the comments of Papa and his co-accused on the filing of the charges proved futile as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, a fire of still unknown origin totally gutted-down a two-story, four-door apartment in Pandacan, Manila early Monday morning.

There were no injuries reported in the fire, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region.

Initial investigation showed the fire struck at about 5:01 a.m. at the apartment owned by a certain Danilo dela Cruz located at the corner of Road 2 and Baretto street.

The fire which reached the fifth alarm, was placed under control at 5:28 a.m. and was declared extinguished by 5:41 a.m. – Mike Frialde