Barangay chief blames politics behind his arrest

CEBU, Philippines – A barangay captain in Medellin town, who was earlier arrested for possession of firearm and drug-sniffing paraphernalia, yesterday challenged the persons he believed to be behind his arrest to present evidence against him in court.

This as Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal also challenged Tipolo barangay captain Marianito Yaun to file a case against the policemen he implicated for his arrest.

Armed with two warrants of arrest, police arrested Yaun in Mandaue City midday last Tuesday while he was walking on Wireless Street, Barangay Subangdaku. These warrants were related to the raid in Yaun's house that Medellin Police conducted in February 1.

But in interview with reporters yesterday, Yaun, said he believes Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, chief of police Bonifacio Arriesgado, and two other police officers were behind his arrest.

"Nganong butang-butangan man ko nila nga distributor ko og drogas sa District 4? Maka-prove ba siya sa iyang pagguba sa akong pagkatawo? Basin nahiubos siya nako, wa pa tawn ko'y experience sa pulitika," Yaun said, referring to Ramirez.

Yaun emphasized he is not a criminal and not a drug lord as he is being accused of.

"I-probar na ni Mayor, uban sa hepe sa Medellin kung kinsa'y ahong gitagaan sa akong mga drogas. Gusto ko one-on-one, hagiton nako sila before the Ombudsman," the barangay chief said.

Yaun added that the mayor allegedly told him beforehand not to run in the coming election and in exchange, the warrants would not be implemented against him. He said he is not seeking for another term.

But in a separate interview with Digal later yesterday, the police official said that PO3 Catalino Rosel and PO2 Rodelo Pilapil, Jr. tried to implement the warrant against Yaun last October 1 in the town's Comelec office where he was supposed to file a certificate of candidacy for reelection.

"Iyaha sad nang alegasyon. Naa'y nag-text namo na tua siya didto to file certificate of candidacy mao gipa-implement namo ang warrant," Digal said.

Digal said that it was in fact recorded in the police blotter that PO3 Rosel attacked Yaun when the latter tried to escape when they saw him.

Yaun was able to escape but the police officer was able to tear off and took his shirt, which is now in police custody to be used as evidence.

"I challenge Yaun to file a case against Rosel if naa siya pagduda kang Rosel," Digal said. (FREEMAN)