Allies, supporters defend Bogo mayor

Political allies and supporters of Bogo mayor Celestino Martinez III have defended him from his alleged involvement in the robbery of a Land Bank branch in the town, saying that the allegation against him could be the handiwork of his political enemies who were conspiring with the police to pin him down.

They said that they are planning to write to the "higher authorities" for proper investigation of the case to determine the real culprits.

Jose Mari Miranda, president of the Bogo-Medellin Sugarcane Planters Association, said that it was very unfortunate that Martinez was implicated in a crime he was innocent of.

"If this can be done to a mayor, how much more with the ordinary citizens?" Miranda said, even as he challenged the authorities to get the real culprits and put them behind bars. "His track record speaks for himself. Robbing a bank is stupid, political suicide."

Miranda also said that they have several plans to help exonerate Martinez from the case, even if they need to hire a lawyer to help him on the case.

"May be there is conspiracy because this is something political. We want something that is transparent. We feel that Tining is being pinned down not just by one person. It took a lot of minds to involve him in a heinous crime," he added.

Martinez's colleagues at the Rotary Club of Metro Bogo and at the Knights of Colombus-Bogo chapter also came to his defense, saying that those who implicated him in the robbery case are the ones who do not know him very well.

They said that they could attest that Martinez is an upright and peace-loving guy who is dedicated to serve his constituents.

Fourth district Board Member Joven Mondigo said that although he is not privy to the issue, he does not believe that Martinez was involved in the robbery because he is known not only in Bogo but the entire country for being former president of the Mayors' League of the Philippines.

"He is a decent and upright guy. He is still a bachelor until now, he does not have vices so he does not need so much money. His family is well-to-do and he can afford his lifestyle," Mondigo said.

Medellin town councilor Michael Miranda also defended Martinez, saying that instead of jumping into conclusions, police authorities and the media should not be biased for the fast resolution of the case.

Joel Sumabong, who claimed to be the team leader of Martinez's alleged "mayor's squad," surrendered to police on Monday and implicated the mayor as the mastermind in the bank robbery last August.

He said he decided to surrender for fear of being killed after he heard reports that Martinez ordered somebody to kill him in exchange for P1 million so that he could not divulge anything about the - Wenna A. Berondorobbery.