Tent owner won’t sue Magpale, PNP officials

CEBU, Philippines - The owner of the three tents is not interested to file charges against acting Governor Agnes Magpale and the police officials who are subjects of the robbery case filed by Pablo “Paulo” Garcia III, the son of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Oscar dela Calzada of Minglanilla, Cebu has signed the acknowledgement receipt, quit claim and release after the items were released by the office of Magpale in “good condition and have no defects.”

Dela Calzada manifested that she has no more claims against Magpale and police authorities who removed the tents in the front of the Capitol building used in the prayer vigil of supporters of the suspended governor.

The tents, reportedly rented by Paulo, were deposited at the parking lot of the Legislative building for safekeeping.

“I hereby declare that I will not file any case against the Acting Governor, the Police Authorities or any personnel of the Provincial Government by reason of the removal and safekeeping of my tents nor participate in any proceeding that may have been initiated by anyone pursuant thereof,” said dela Calzada in his affidavit dated March 15, 2013 duly notarized by lawyer Jesus Velez.

Paulo filed a robbery complaint against Magpale, Director Marcelo Garbo of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, Commanding Officer of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag and Police Inspector Alvino Enguito of RPSB Central Visayas for refusal to return the tents.

The tents were installed December 18, 2012 but the police broke up the vigil and confiscated the tents.

Paulo reportedly rented the tents from Sheentrade Marketing for P2,600 per tent per day.

In his complaint, he asked the respondents to pay P7,800 in actual damages representing the rental of the tents starting Dec. 18; P500,000 in attorney’s fees; P5 million in moral damages and P2 million in exemplary damages.

The Garcias earlier accused the camp of Magpale of having intent to obstruct justice by preempting the result of the preliminary investigation of the robbery case.

Paulo’s sister, lawyer Christina Garcia-Frasco bared that the office of Magpale forced dela Calzada to sign a waiver and quit claim.

Magpale’s lawyer, Magnificus Cañete, said that it was dela Calzada who suggested to spare him from participating any charges filed in court. (FREEMAN)