Garcia’s son files administrative charges vs acting gov, police officials

MANILA, Philippines - A son of suspended governor Gwendolyn Garcia has filed administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against acting Gov. Agnes Magpale and some police officials for their refusal to return tents that he had rented for his mother’s supporters who had barricaded the provincial capitol.

Police, meanwhile, tightened security around the Cebu Provincial Capitol yesterday for the long New Year’s day weekend.

Pablo “Paolo” Garcia III, Paolo earlier filed a criminal case for robbery before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas and the same police officials.

Named respondents in both cases are 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.

“The administrative cases filed by Paolo are fueling up the situation. He is now hitting the Philippine National Police,” Garbo said in a phone interview.

Paolo included Magpale as respondent in the administrative complaint because it was allegedly the acting governor who ordered Garbo to dismantle and confiscate the tents.

Garbo then instructed Cabanag and Enguito to enforce Magpale’s order.

Garbo said Paolo was arrogant and was actually the “one who started it all.” He said Paolo and his group hit Enguito, while the latter was deployed at the Provincial Capitol last Dec. 19. Enguito has filed a case of direct assault against the governor’s son and alleged cohorts Tonyson Lee and Joey Cal. – With Gregg Rubio, Niña Sumacot/Freeman