Former Sogod VM arrested for “malicious mischief”

CEBU, Philippines - A former vice mayor of a northern Cebu town was arrested by the Cebu City police yesterday after he allegedly started a commotion when he knocked down the door of a room in P. del Rosario Extension, Barangay Sambag 1, past 1 a.m.

Dean Dosado, former Sogod Vice Mayor was arrested by elements of the Mobile Patrol Group  after they witnessed him knock down the door of Johnson Clark Gayrosaga’s room.

The door’s hinges were slightly damaged and when Dosado gained entrance in Gayrosaga’s room, he allegedly poured water on Gayrosaga.

In an interview with Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, Fuente Police Station chief, he said that he received a call from Dosado asking him to respond.

Tiu said that Dosado mentioned in his call that he was threatened by Gayrosaga and asked if he can invoke his right to arrest the latter by virtue of a citizen’s arrest.

“Ganiha nanawag na siya (Dosado) nako kay naa siyay gireklamo. Naa siyay uyab-uyab sa Sambag 1.  Ang manghod gi-threat kuno siya arson. He’s invoking his right nga citizens arrest, iyang dakpon,” Tiu said.

But when MPG personnel arrived, they saw Dosado in the act of knocking down the door of Gayrosaga’s room. 

 “Ang nirespondi ang MPG, pag-abot sa MPG siya maoy nanghasi, siya maoy nang-guba,” Tiu added.

So the elements of MPG car number 019, Police Officer 3 Eufemio Reyes, PO3 Noel Ragasalo and PO3 Alberto Diamante placed him under arrest. Gayrosaga was also invited for questioning but was later released.

A woman who introduced herself as Dosado’s friend said that Dosado only retaliated because he was attacked by Gayrosaga.

“Naghagis-hagis pa na siya (Gayrosaga) before niabot ang mga polis, nagdala pa na siya’g tubo. Nanghagis pod siya (Dosado) kay siya may una’ng gihagisan, nagkomprontasi silang duha,” the woman said.

Dosado’s lawyer, Junjie Manda, in an interview said that they will question the legality of his arrest saying that the police officers made a shortcut in the arrest.

 “Summary procedure lagi na, pero ang ilaha ilang gi-shortcut kay in the act kuno of committing a crime,” Manda said.

The woman complained that she and Dosado were the ones who called for police assistance but instead, Dosado was arrested by the police.

“Katong maoy among gi-complain maoy gibuhian, kami na nouy gi-kuan, nagpatawag mi’g assistance sa polis,” she stressed.

However, Tiu explained that it does not follow that the police will arrest the person who is facing a complaint. He added that he instructed his men to evaluate and investigate the complaint first.

Tiu pointed out that there have been incidents in the past wherein the person calling for police assistance was the offender.

Upon evaluating the circumstance yesterday, Tiu said that Dosado might be held liable for malicious mischief.

“Di gud siya taga-diha, siya maoy nanghasi. Kung di siya welcome ngadto trespassing siya,” Tiu added.

The woman also alleged that personnel from Fuente police choked and dragged Dosado towards the detention cell.

“Naglingkod ra gud si Dean diha iya gyung gibunlot, iya na gisulod sa prisohan, nahagbong si Dean sa lingkoranan iya pa gyung gituok, bastoson polisa oi,” she said.  

Tiu said that Dosado will be charged with malicious mischief today and they will be getting the statement of Gayrosaga if he would file a trespassing case against the former vice mayor.   (FREEMAN)