‘That’s not true, it wasn’t me’

Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo’s common-law wife and possible bet for city mayor in the 2004 polls, Gigi Emnace, denied yesterday reports that she ordered the arrest and detention of three men putting up Christmas streamers of a rival mayoralty contender.

Emnace said she could not possibly do such a thing.

"Hindi ako ’yun. Walang ganung nangyari. Baka si Mayor pa," Emnace said in a phone interview.

She explained that the mayor could have done so because of a previous incident involving the tearing down of streamers at a jobs fair near city hall last November. The fair was sponsored by Caloocan Rep. Enrico Echiverri, who is also running for mayor in 2004.

Emnace threatened to file a libel suit against Echiverri. She, however, did not say on what grounds she would be filing the case.

PO1 Christopher Bagsit of Police Community Precinct 5 said Jeffrey Lagdan, 20, of Galauran street, 8th Avenue; Eduardo Santillan, 21, of 6th Avenue; and Catalino Roxas, 23 of P. Zamora street pointed to Emnace, who was on board a gray van, as the one who allegedly ordered her backup security officers to arrest them at around 8:30 p.m. Thursday. They said Emnace shouted the order as she was rolling down the window of the van.

The victims said they were shoved into a police vehicle (WAE 494) as other persons in Emance’s entourage tore down the streamers they were putting up. The men allegedly also took their cutters, hammers, ladders and other tools and materials.

The three claimed they were driven aimlessly around city streets for some two hours before they were brought to the city hall detachment, where they were subjected to questioning. They were later released without charges being filed against them.

The three told probers they are considering filing charges of illegal arrest and illegal detention against Emnace. – Jerry Botial