BHW in Liloan to face charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas is set to file three cases against a barangay health worker of Yati, Liloan Cebu and two other private individuals before the court for threatening a complainant.

Graft investigator Antonio Yap said based on the evidence at hand he found probable cause to hold Aloja Garbe and Andrew and Junior Garbe for trial.

“Wherefore, the documentary evidence by the complainant and her witness being uncontroverted, informations for grave threats, slander and malicious mischief be filed against the respondents with the proper court,” the resolution reads.

The resolution was approved by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Ellen Lumayog, a resident of Yati, Liloan.

On July 17, 2010 at around 8:00 p.m., the complainant was with her friend Anecita Bughao and her child, walking towards their rented house when they suddenly met the respondents.

Lumayag said she was approached and confronted by Aloha and her brother Andrew about the “rumor circulating around through text messaging” that it was Aloha who was responsible for sending text messages that she has “big boobs.”

Aloha and her brother Andrew then joined by Junior (Aloha’s husband).She said the respondents shouted at her using “invective words” and asked why she accused Aloha as the one who spread the text message.

She said respondents also threatened to kill her while throwing stones at their rented house.  The issue was raised before the barangay, but no amicable settlement was arrived at. The certification to file action was issued by the barangay on Aug. 27, 2010.

On November 10, 2010, Yap summoned respondents to file their respective counter-affidavits.

“In view of this situation, this investigator is left without any recourse but to resolve this case on the basis of the documentary evidence presented by the complainant which has remained uncontroverted,” the resolution reads.

With that, Yap recommended the filing of case against the respondents. — (FREEMAN)