Village treasurer faces raps for ‘threatening’ voters

CEBU, Philippines — An incumbent barangay treasurer of Talisay, Sta. Fe town in northern Cebu is facing grave coercion charges for allegedly threatening voters.

Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana and a certain Willy Zorio filed the case against Vicente Illustrisimo before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday, according to Police Senior Inspector Armando Labora, acting chief of Sta. Fe Police.

Illustrisimo reportedly waylaid and attacked a group of voters, including Zorio, who passed by the former’s area in Sitio Mahayahay in Barangay Talisay.

Based on the initial police investigation, Illustrisimo and his at least 15 companions were setting up a tent along the road for a birthday party when Zorio’s group passed by.

Senior Police Officer 2 Jhonard Loyao, investigator of the case, said Illustrisimo reportedly told the group “ayaw mo pagbotar ha” and then went on threatening them.

Illustrisimo, however, denied the allegation against him, according to Labora.

“Gi-deny gyud sa suspect ug matod pa nga nagbutang lang sila og tent didto para sa tapok-tapok sa birthday pero layo ra kaayo ang balay sa nag-birthday mga 500 meters away. Daplin og kalsada so ang mga botante makaagi gyud didto maka-create og provocation ug intimidation gyud,” Labora said.

Illustrisimo was arrested during Monday’s polls.

A concerned citizen told Esgana about the incident and the mayor, in turn, reported it to the police.

When police arrived, the suspect was already in custody of the mayor. (FREEMAN)