Police file raps vs Cavite fiscal for freeing gun ban violators

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against a prosecutor of Trece Martires, Cavite for allegedly ordering the release of five men arrested for illegal possession of firearms and gun ban violations last week.

Prosecutor Crisostomo Dario Jr. is being accused of violating Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code which penalizes acts of “maliciously refraining from instituting prosecution for the punishment of violators of the law” or tolerating this.

The PNP’s Regional Safety Battalion 4-A based in Los Baños, Laguna filed the case against Dario for releasing Raymond Eguillos, Allan Limbo, Jem Bennision Baldeo, Eurie Tulabot, and Jojo Sibug for supposed lack of probable cause.

The suspects allegedly figured in a shootout with policemen who were enforcing a court-issued search warrant.

During the search on Equillos’ house at La Trinidad Subdivision in Trece Martires, the exchange of gunfire resulted in the wounding of PO2 Ivan Mark Cuartero and one Dennis Castillo.

Seized from the suspects were five handguns and a shotgun and charges were filed against them that same day.

However, police said Dario issued a resolution and ordered the release of the suspects after the inquest proceedings, saying “there exists no probable cause on the basis of evidence presented.”

The Lakas-Magdalo coalition in Cavite, however, has filed charges against a ranking police official and eight of his men for allegedly committing violations in the raid on the house of Eguillos, chief of staff of Trece Martires Mayor Melencio de Sagun.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo, the coalition’s legal counsel, identified the police officers as Superintendent Glenn Dumlao, PO3 Victor Wecweken; PO2s Alvin Garcia Marquez, Harold Semana, Steven Catimbang, Christopher Solen, and Anthony Acoba; and PO1s Catalino Tadiosa Jr. and Bryan Umipon.

Twenty-two John Does were also included in the complaint for illegal arrest, illegal search, violation of domicile, grave coercion, malicious mischief, and robbery.           – With Ed Amoroso