CIDG official arrests cousin wanted for robbery

CEBU, Philippines - A convicted robber was arrested by the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 last Monday night in Barangay Talamban.

Jerome Bontuyan Bontia, 37, was arrested by his own cousin, Insp. Delfin Bontuyan, on a strength of a warrant of arrest for robbery issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Enriquita Belarmino in 2008.

Bontia’s father, Conrado, tried to prevent the CIDG operatives from arresting his son. Conrado even threatened to file charges against the policemen.

But Bontuyan said he was just doing his duty and would arrest anyone even his own relative.

“No one is above the law,” Bontuyan said.

Bontia was convicted in 2008 and was sentenced to suffer three to seven years imprisonment. According to Bontuyan, he just learned of his cousin’s conviction and pending arrest warrant the other day.

Bontia reportedly faced several robbery charges in the 90s but most of it were settled upon the intervention of his parents. Most of the complainants were settled and agreed to withdraw their complaints.

According to Bontuyan, he knew that his cousin was a drug addict. In fact, he had been subjected to drug rehabilitation.

Four years ago Bontia went to Ireland to live with his sister but returned in the country and go back to his old habits.

“Abi man nako og nag bag-o na akong ig-agaw. Mao man lang gihapon (I thought my cousin had changed),” said Bontuyan.— FPL (FREEMAN)