Police file multiple raps vs squatting pro

AUTHORITIES filed on Tuesday multiple complaints against the alleged leader of professional squatters and his 30 allies before the City Prosecution Office (CPO).

The Talomo police led by Superintendent Dionisio Abude filed malicious mischief, trespassing, grave threats, qualified theft, and syndicated estafa through falsification of documents complaints against Manolito Gavas, 38, native of Bohol, and other 30 people.

Gavas was arrested by a team led by Abude around 10 a.m. on Monday in Victoria Village, Barangay Matina Aplaya, Davao City, which they claimed as theirs.

Gavas together with Maximo Binigay, 49, Junjie Grapa, 41, Mallore Linsag, 30, were questioned before prosecutor Carlos Castaños.

Abude said 27 other people would be sued through a regular filing since they remain at large as of Tuesday.

"Dakpon lang namo sila kung makita sa fiscal nga nay probable cause ug mag issue na ug warrant of arrest ang court (We will only arrest them if the prosecutor finds probable cause and the court issues an arrest warrant)," Abude told Sun.Star Davao.

The 27 other people were identified as Lorellie Bendijo, Carmencita Arboiz, Glicerio Cayacay, Vergie Cuerda, Benita Montes, Lorena Ecunes, Rosemarie Ungab, Cenisa Pilapil, Praxides Ungab, Felisidad Linsag, Felomina Guardiana, Antonio Saysoy, Rosalinda Maniano, Grace Lumugdang, Emelda Payac, Malyn Dayson, Amelita Villanueva, Manolito Tubio, Joel Tubio, Almira Pinpin, Nerio Nalla, Criselda Maloloy-on, Rebecca Dumdum, Nerly Sacasan, Joel Jalop, Thomas Bendijo and Joji Grava.

The complaints filed against the 27 will be resolved after a preliminary investigation. The CPO will subpoena the respondents for them to file their respective counter-affidavits.

Based on the documents presented, Gavas is the chair of Veterans Legionaries of World War of the Walter Cushing Guerilla Unit, Inc. He also claims to be chair and president of Ambassador for Christ of Don Alejandro San Pedro Foundation.

A group of squatters staked their plots on an empty land in Victoria Village after Gavas assured them that the land was his and showed them a fake decision penned by the Supreme Court in 1998 granting them land ownership.

The settlers claimed to have paid P250 to put up their shanties and were even required by Gavas to undergo three-day training on crime prevention and control program.

In his program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa, Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered the arrest of Gavas.

During his visit at the Talomo police station on the night of Gavas' arrest, Duterte told the respondent to eat the fake documents he used to swindle people in Victoria Village.

A footage broadcasted by a local television morning program showed that Gavas, without any hesitation, followed what Duterte told him to do so. He said he wants Gavas behind bars.

"Giapil ba nimo ang titulo sa Davao Mental Hospital? Kay murag didto ka padulong (Did you include the title of the Davao Mental Hospital? It is where you are heading to)," he added.

Duterte said the accused will be facing complaint for resisting arrest.