Toledo councilman, 5 others jailed for theft, trespassing

CEBU, Philippines - Six people, including a barangay councilman from Toledo City, were arrested for theft in Barangay Cogon-Pardo, Cebu City yesterday.

Authorities arrested sisters Mirasol, 24, and Harlyn Candoli, 22; brothers Bernie, 23, and Romualdo Gabatu, 18; Leonardo Navaro, 68; and Fausto Oberez, 63, a councilman of Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City.

The suspects were reportedly trying to retrieve the belongings of Mary Luz Candoli, 19, the first year college student who was shot dead two weeks ago by her 41-year-old live-in partner, Julito Ponce, a plumber of Sitio Romblon, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

Julito is currently detained at the Pardo Police Station after he signed a waiver of detention for murder.

The suspects were arrested after Julito’s sister, Judith, sought help from the police after seeing the group at around 8:30 p.m. bringing things from the couple’s room into a multicab owned by Barangay Don Andres Soriano. 

Judith claimed that Mary Luz was only asked by her brother, Julito, to live in the room about two years ago when they started their relationship. She said that her brother, out of love for Mary Luz, even offered to support her studies. 

Mirasol said they already asked permission from the police regarding their plan to retrieve her sister’s things.

“We’re just getting my sister’s (Mary Luz) things. We are not thieves,” Marisol said while sobbing.

Despite her claim, Julito’s siblings are determined to file charges against them for theft and trespassing.

“They do not have the right to enter the room. Though they have a key, Mary Luz does not own anything from the room. She was only asked to live there and that was it,” Judith told The FREEMAN.  

Barangay Councilman Oberez denied participation in incident, stressing that he was with the group only to assist them as his constituents. “I went with them in good faith as a barangay official,” he said.

A letter from Barangay Don Andres Soriano was sent yesterday afternoon to Pardo Police Station requesting the station chief to release Oberez, who was innocent of the crime. The request was ignored by the police.

The six suspects, who will be detained for the rest of the weekend, are set to face charges for theft and trespass to dwelling on Monday. (FREEMAN)