Mayor willing to shelter Cadungog’s driver

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is willing to shelter William Macaslang, the driver of Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog, after learning that the driver fears for his life after the supposed ambush on Cadungog last July 30.

"William is terrified for his life. After being released from the custody of the NBI, who for the past month thankfully refused to hand him over to the police, he has nowhere safe to go. So I told him he and his family can sleep in my house,” Osmeña said in a Facebook post.

The post is supported by a photo that shows the mayor talking to Macaslang.

As of yesterday, the post earned 3,100 reactions from netizens and has been shared at least 173 times.

“William is a nobody. He has no one to stand for him. So I will,” Osmeña said.

Proceedings

Meanwhile, the Regional Trial Court moved to November Macaslang’s arraignment in the homicide and attempted homicide charges over the death of PO3 Eugene Calumba, the alleged hitman in Cadungog’s supposed ambush.

The arraignment was moved after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group asked the prosecutor’s office to review its resolution on the case.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, one of the private prosecutors, said it seems the prosecutor’s office has not appreciated the evidence against Macaslang fully.

“We believe that the evidence is substantial enough and was not appreciated so we are asking to revisit the case and look into the very vital witness because over and above the CCTV, there is an eye witness – a child who was there. We are surprised… why rush in the resolution?” Dela Cerna said.

Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane said earlier the speed in which the resolution was issued was regular.

“Inquest cases must be resolved by the inquest prosecutor within the same day unless mag-waiver ang arrested person for a couple of days to submit counter-affidavit, which must not be more than 15 days,” Gubalane told The Freeman.

He said the 60-day period within which to resolve a complaint is applicable to a regular preliminary investigation and for petition for review/appeal filed before the Department of Justice.

Macaslang’s lawyer, Benjamin Militar, said the court has set the arraignment on November 9, 2018.

While Macaslang was driving Cadungog’s FJ Cruiser morning on July 30, two men on board a motorcycle allegedly tailed him and the man riding in pillion allegedly pulled a gun, prompting Macaslang to shoot him first.

He also fired at Michael Banua, the driver of the motorcycle, when the latter also allegedly pulled a gun out.

Macaslang used the firearm Cadungog left in the vehicle.  The police have since denied Macaslang was a hitman and said he and Banua were on a surveillance operation at the area. — /JMO (FREEMAN)