Cops nab 3 Marines for creating trouble

Three members of the Philippine Marines were arrested for allegedly creating trouble inside a bar in Lapu-Lapu City Monday night.

S/Sgt. Calixto Montiel Jr., Sgt. Jesus Dimacaga and Cpl. Rudy Mercullo were brought to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station by responding policemen led by SPO1 Manuel Pasadoble and PO3 Melchor Jagdon following the incident.

The three are assigned to the 75th Marine Corps Assault Battalion and were presently deployed in Cebu as part of the security preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in December.

Responding policemen rushed to the Rising Angel Bar, located at the public utility jeepney terminal in barangay Pajo, after receiving a call for assistance from the bar manager, Alicia Perez, regarding the incident.

Initial police investigation disclosed that a heated argument erupted between Perez and Montiel over the change of the latter's payment. Perez complained that Montiel kicked the door of the bar, causing a damage worth P500.

However, the Navy personnel agreed to a financial settlement during a negotiation with the bar management later.

Last Saturday, Maj. Gen. Cardozo Luna, the military's Central Command chief, reminded the soldiers to maintain proper decorum during their stay in Cebu.

Luna welcomed the arrival of 500 members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) from Sulu and 470 Philippine Army personnel from Catbalogan, Samar at the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

A NAVFORCEN member, who refused to be named, yesterday told The Freeman that the three Navy personnel were relieved from their posts yesterday while the incident is under investigation. - Norvie S. Misa/LPM