Junie: Benhur has goons, not I

CEBU, Philippines - “It is not us who has private army but it is him.”

This was the statement of Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. on the call of fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon to disband the anti-crime volunteer group of Martinez in Bogo City.

Martinez showed to media records of crimes and harassment reports allegedly perpetrated by Salimbangon’s armed group not only in Bogo City but also in other towns including Bantayan Island in the district.

He mentioned the “Savior Group” of Joel Sumabong, Arnold Toreon and Dindo Ancero whom he claims are allies of Salimbangon as their “supremo.”

Martinez said that the reports on strafing, shooting and ambush incidents involved the group of Sumabong.

Salimbangon said Martinez’s claims are not true, saying that the people in Bogo are even already mad at the abuses committed by the armed men of the Martinezes.

Salimbangon instead told The Freeman to ask Martinez’s son, former mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, who Sumabong is.

Sumabong was previously charged with robbery in connection with the 2005 robbery of Land Bank in Bogo City and tagged Tining as the mastermind in the robbery which the latter denied.

Salimbangon was not in politics when the robbery incident happened as he only joined the 2007 elections when he ran for congressman against Tining.

“Because of the abuses sa CBACTAF, most likely ang mga tawo manukol na, sobra na ang pagdaug-daug sa mga tawo diha oy,” Salimbangon said.

Mayor Martinez yesterday said that the City of Bogo Anti-Crime Task Force (CBACTAF) has already been disbanded and no longer existing prior to the call of Salimbangon. He said that it was already replaced by Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) agents sanctioned by the Philippine National Police to assist authorities in the implementation of crime prevention programs.

However, the media noticed that the summary of at least 17 crime incidents showed by Martinez to media yesterday was still bearing the CBACTAF letterhead and dated 10 October 2012 signed by retired Col. Romeo Dignos as the director.

Martinez said Salimbangon is just conditioning the mind of the military and the people that harassments are occurring to justify the latter’s call to place Bogo City under the control of the Commission on Elections in 2013.

He challenged Salimbangon to also present records showing the crimes committed by his men.

But Salimbangon questioned how criminals other than the criminals already in command of Martinez enter in the area.

“How can criminals from outside enter Bogo when there’s a CBACTAF member in every corner? Who can perpetrate crimes within the territory of Junie Martinez?” Salimbangon said.

—(FREEMAN)