Esgana’s ‘army’ under town payroll?

CEBU, Philippines — The alleged “private army” of Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana who reportedly harassed barangay residents in the May 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections were allegedly paid by the municipality.

This prompted Councilor Mary Greleigh Cabrera and cousin, Christian Cabrera, to file administrative and criminal charges against Esgana before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas last Friday.

Attached in their complaints were the payrolls for labor of at least 10 personnel under the Municipal Security Force from January to June 2018, whose rates per day varied from P200, P210 and P300. Also attached were photos of some personnel cleaning and securing the mayor’s residence.

Councilor Cabrera, in a letter dated June 21, 2018, asked Vice Mayor Ithamar Espinosa, through Council Secretary Fritz Valentino Escaran, if the council has authorized Esgana to engage, hire or enter into a contract of service for non-uniform security personnel.

Escaran, on June 26, 2018, certified that “no resolution or an ordinance approved by the members of the august body authorizing the local chief executive to engage, hire or enter into a contract of service with some JOs designated as Non-Uniform Security Personnel.”

“I was disheartened that the coffers of a fourth-class municipality are used for creating a private army to terrify voters and residents of Santa Fe. There are more important needs and projects to be funded by the municipality,” said Councilor Cabrera.

She said that in the morning of May 14 elections, Esgana, with his armed security force, harassed a group of supporters of her mother who ran for barangay captain of Talisay against the son of the mayor.

Esgana reportedly arrested Vicente Illustrisimo, the treasurer of Barangay Talisay, who at that time was preparing for the birthday of his grandson.

In the evening prior to that day, Christian noticed the motorcycles driven by the members of the security force arrive in Sitio Mahayahay, Talisay.

He identified them as Eliseo Bula, Daniel Farriolen, Allan Jumola, Jacob Ofiasa, Ronaldo Resane and a certain Dexter.

The names appeared on the payroll.

At around 2 a.m. of May 14, Christian said, seven motorcycles arrived in the same area and he was told by Jumola that they were just roving around.

Christian said he saw the same group of persons guarding the house of Esgana.

“I was dismayed that public funds are used for the personal gain of the local chief executive in my place. It was unethical for Mayor Esgana to use the security personnel to clean his area and guard his house,” said Christian.

The FREEMAN tried but failed to contact Esgana several times through his mobile phone yesterday.

Complainants’ counsel, lawyer Judiel Pareja, said they will present additional evidence, both testimonial and documentary, as soon as this case is properly investigated. (FREEMAN)