Zambales pol's backers file charges over killing

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Ten supporters of defeated congressional candidate Cherry Deloso-Montalla have filed charges against the Zambales police director, the provincial election supervisor, and several others for the killing of a fellow supporter on the eve of the special second district poll last Feb. 5.

The criminal complaint was filed before the Zambales prosecutor’s office by the followers of Deloso-Montalla of the Liberal Party who lost by 5,922 votes to Omar Ebdane, son of Zambales Gov. Jun Ebdane of the Partido ng Magsasaka at Manggagawa. The special poll was called to fill the vacancy left by the death of Rep. Antonio Diaz.

The complaint stemmed from the fatal shooting of Cesar Madoh and the alleged beating up of the complainants in Botolan town last Feb. 4.     

The respondents included Zambales police chief Superintendent Francisco de Belen Santiago Jr., his cousin provincial election supervisor Elaiza Sabile-David, deputy provincial police director Superintendent Demosthenes Felix, former Botolan police chief Inspector Michael Chavez, police intelligence head Inspector Preston Bagangan, eight other policemen, and several John Does.