Argao brgy. officials want cop relieved

CEBU, Philippines - Two public officials in Argao town are seeking the relief of a policeman for allegedly protecting drug operations, but police countered saying the two are really behind illegal gambling operations.

Police said Bonifacia “Pasit” Villamora, Panadtaran barangay captain, and her husband Ruben Villamora, a councilman, are allegedly making “masiao”, an illegal numbers game, as their family business.

Police alleged that after their saturation drive last Saturday evening Bonifacia went to the police station mad after one of their ushers was arrested inside the Argao Public Market in Barangay Poblacion.

Edgardo Villamora, 48, of Barangay Langtad, a cousin of Ruben, was arrested by the police after he issued a number combination to PO1 Manuelito Abrenica, who posed as a bettor along with PO1 Gerald Toquero.

SPO1 Jaime Mendoza, the team leader of the operation, quoted Bonifacia as saying “nagsabot nami sa hepe nga matag usa ka-pinanser usa ra ang dakpon unya nganong gihilabtan pa man? Naa gyu’y nagpaluyo ani, nakahibaw nako.”

Chief Insp. Allan Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said he and Bonifacia never had any agreement regarding their operations.

“Kung gasabot pa mi dili na lang unta ko mo-order sa akong mga tao nga mag-conduct ug saturation drive. Usa pa nganong di man dakpon nga illegal man na,” Batobalonos said.

Mendoza claimed Bonifacia has a grudge against him after some of her ushers were arrested in previous operations.

Ruben, chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order, allegedly passed a resolution to the Argao municipal council stating several allegations against Mendoza including being a protector of illegal drug operations in the town.

A copy of the resolution was furnished to the Cebu Provincial Police Office recommending Mendoza’s transfer outside the province.

But Batobalonos said no copy of the resolution was furnished to their office.

“Nahiubos ko nganong gidiritso sa province nga wala i-agi sa akoa ni-explain unta sila sa police station,” Batobalonos said.

Bonifacia was sought for comment but refused to give any.

Today, Edgardo is set to be charged with violation of RA 9287 or an act increasing the penalties for illegal numbers games, as amended by the provisions of the PD No. 1602.

Batobalonos added that he will be requesting the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to investigate the incident to avoid any bias while Mendoza said he will be consulting his lawyer regarding filing appropriate charges against Ruben.

Meanwhile, a chicharon maker was stabbed dead by his neighbor after an argument over land boundaries in Sitio Mananga 2, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, last Saturday afternoon.

Silverio Paquera died before he reached the Talisay City District Hospital due to multiple stab wounds in different parts of his body.

The alleged assailant, Jonathan “Atan” Tapao, is still at large.

Investigation revealed that both argued over their land boundaries when Tapao was about to start building his house beside Paquera’s. Paquera allegedly told Tapao not to build his house too close to his house so they can still spit outside, which resulted to an altercation.

Minutes later, while Paquera was preparing dinner inside his house, Tapao allegedly entered armed with a knife and repeatedly stabbed him.

Responding policemen spotted Tapao swimming across a river to escape. They chased him but lost him in the interior portion of the barangay. — (FREEMAN)