Ex-Ilocos mayor charged for resort takeover surrenders
BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — Former mayor Edward Josh Cobangbang of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, who was charged with serious illegal detention and grave coercion in connection with the illegal takeover of a government-owned resort in 2017, surrendered on Friday.
Cobangbang, 25, who went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued by Sanchez Mira Cagayan Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Gemma Bucayu-Madrid on Oct. 22, surfaced with his father former mayor Edwardo Cobangbang at the Ilocos police office in San Fernando City, La Union, regional director Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said.
Fifteen officials and employees of the Cabugao municipal government who were indicted for the same offense surrendered on Saturday last week.
They allegedly padlocked the Cabugao beach resort, with its operator, her four-year-old son and several employees trapped inside.
Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco reversed a ruling of a panel of government prosecutors that dismissed the charges against Cobangbang and his co-accused. – Eva Visperas
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