Ex-Lubang mayor, 71 others face arrest for sedition

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — The unseated mayor of Lubang, Oriental Mindoro, together with four councilors and their 67 supporters, faces arrest on sedition charges filed against them.

Chief Superintendent Delfin Genio, Region 4-B police director, said Judge Jose Jacinto Jr. of the Mamburao Regional Trial Court Branch 44 issued the arrest warrants for former vice mayor Policarpio Tesorio, councilors Jaime Tardio, Cecilito Balisno, Albert Pates and Bernardo Tesalona, and Association of Barangay Captains president Roberto Terrenal, among others.

As of press time, 43 of Tesorio’s supporters had been arrested. Tesorio and Terrenal have expressed their intention to voluntarily surrender, said Superintendent Reynaldo Rosero, director of the Regional Mobile Group.

Tesorio and Lubang Mayor Johnny Sanchez fought it out in the 2004 mayoral race. Tesorio was declared winner but Sanchez, claiming poll irregularities, sought a recount.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) subsequently declared Sanchez the rightful winner in the 2004 polls. But Tesorio refused to accept the decision and together with his supporters, holed up in the municipal hall, forcing Sanchez to hold office elsewhere.

Despite negotiations, Tesorio refused to vacate the mayor’s office, prompting Sanchez to file sedition charges against him and his supporters.

Rosero said those arrested will be turned over to the Mamburao RTC for proper disposition. The court has set a P60,000 bail for Tesorio and his leaders, and P30,000 for his followers.