P500k reward set for Galenzoga arrest: Mayor Cari files multiple charges, including sedition, vs protesters

BAYBAY CITY, Philippines – Mayor Carmen Cari had put up a P500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of protesting mayoralty bet Malot Veloso Galenzoga for allegedly leading an indignation rally, which turned violent and caused injuries to many, at the City Hall compound last June 30.

The mayor also filed charges of sedition, illegal assembly, destruction of government property, direct assault and even robbery have been filed against arrested and detained supporters of Galenzoga who allegedly participated in the protest.

As of press time yesterday, more than 50 people have been charged before the court here already, as the police and the local government pored over CCTV camera footage of the incident to identify those who took part in the riot that injured at eight policemen (PO1s Bryan Macaso, Dream Orit, Wilfred Canlas, Jundyle Cular and Adrian Ener, PO2s Napoleon Gecain and Agripino Padrique, and SPO2 Reynaldo Villaber), and several Galenzoga supporters who allegedly caused damage to the City Hall and government properties.

The court here said that, of the more than 50, only five have posted bail so far. One of them was Galenzoga’s younger brother Marciano Jose who put up P80,000 bail at the Regional Trial Court for illegal possession of high-powered firearms and another P24,000 at the Municipal Trial Court for possession of another gun of lower caliber.

Others who were freed on bail were Earl Nuñez, Condrado Dieza, Joey Toledo and former ABC president Virginia Dumaguing, who ran for councilor under Galenzoga’s UNA ticket in the last election.

Among those charged in court, but still at-large were: Al Relevo, runningmate of Galenzoga, and lawyer Agustin Alo and former broadcaster Alvin Truya, both Galenzoga bets for councilor.

The protest rally erupted into violence after Galenzoga and her supporters attended mass. The police, in a joint affidavit of arrest, alleged that Galenzoga and her people marched to the front of the City Hall where she announced that Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes would be coming to proclaim her as the elected mayor.

Other people also made speeches, firing up the crowd that inched closer to the barricade where a phalanx of policemen with riot shields positioned themselves. What followed was a frenzy of stone-pelting done by people, mostly in sky blue shirts with Galenzoga’s name on it, to the barricading authorities and the buildings. All windows of the City Hall were broken, and the protesters did not spare the electronic-car of the police and the parked car of Vice Mayor Michael Cari.

Neneng Balotite of the city administrator’s office said they were inside the City Hall when stones rained into their office, prompting them to take cover under the tables. Mayor Cari, on the other hand, said all their computers were destroyed and vowed she would run after those responsible.

In a raid at Galenzoga’s house a few hours later, 722 people were rounded up, around 300 of them were women and children. They were turned over to the custody of the city’s Social Welfare Office, but were released the next day, after their arrests were documented.

Galenzoga, however, was not around during the raid, but the police confiscated from her house three firearms with ammunitions for an M-16 rifle.

After 24 hours, some male protesters were also released without cases filed against them, although a police officer said they were not yet off the hook, especially those identified from video footage to have participated in violent incident.

At the Baybay City Police Station, the policeman on duty said they ran out of time to include all in the inquest proceedings.  (FREEMAN)