CamSur town execs ordered arrested for illegal detention charges

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – A mayor and vice mayor of a town in Camarines Sur, who supported actor-politician  Aga Muhlach in the 2013 congressional race, have been ordered arrested along with several other officials on charges of serious illegal detention and malicious mischief.

San Jose Judge Noel Paulite recommended no bail for Goa town Mayor Antero Lim and Vice Mayor Alfredo Gonzaga, Councilor Alex Camacho, village chiefs Amy de Vera of Barangay Matacla in Goa, Redito Clarino of Casuna in Tigaon and Sigfredo Tolentino Jr. of Gubat also in Tigaon, and 33 others.

Copies of the arrest warrants were sent to the local office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

DILG Camarines Sur director Arnel Madrideo said yesterday he had not yet received a copy of the arrest warrants.

The order stemmed from a complaint filed by Tigaon Mayor Arnie Fuentebella and several other persons who said the respondents detained them in the municipal building for two days during the counting of votes in 2013.

The accused, who were reportedly irked upon learning that Muhlach was losing in the elections, pelted with stones the building where Fuentebella and his companions were staying.

Tension escalated when the unofficial count showed Felix William Fuentebella  leading by several hundred votes over Muhlach.

The indictment of the respondents was recommended by the Department of Justice.