DMIA cable theft ‘should be resolved soon’

Sunday, January 22, 2012

CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) Vice President for Operations Reynaldo Catacutan said he wants to see the cable theft case inside the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) resolved soon.

"I love Luciano. I love DMIA. But I love justice," Catacutan said, as he vowed to pursue the case, which is now being handled by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), where Luciano was involved.

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Catacutan made the statement during a press conference he called Sunday, as he reacted to a report that a Mabalacat trader, a certain Josie Gomez, filed a harassment case against him.

Gomez, in her affidavit, stated that Catacutan and his bodyguards went to her residence in Barangay Atlu-Bola and tried to force her to sign documents, admitting that she and Luciano conspired in connection with the cable theft case.

But Catacutan denied the report and said he will file counter-charges against Gomez for fabricating stories.

Catacutan said he visited Atlu-Bola barangay hall on January 3, 2012 to coordinate with village officials on the ongoing investigation of the cable theft case.

According to Catacutan, he was even accompanied by personnel of the Central Luzon police intelligence division (R2) when he visited the village.

The four suspects in the cable theft case are allegedly employees of Gomez under her ACP Manpower services.

Three of the suspects are allegedly close relatives of Gomez, according to Catacutan.

Catacutan showed local newsmen documents showing that he never went to Barangay Atlu-Bola on January 3 as alleged by Gomez.

In a certification dated January 21, 2012, Atlu-Bola chairman Pablo Capitulo stated that Catacutan appeared at the barangay hall around 9:30 a.m. of January 3 asking assistance to invite Gomez for a confrontation.

The Office of Alumni Affairs of the Tarlac State University also issued a certification that Catacutan appeared in their office and attended their meeting.

"How can I be in Atlu-Bola when I am in a meeting in TSU?" Catacutan said.

He said he met with Gomez because the Bases Conversion Development Authority has slated the interrogation with the four suspects last January 4.

Gomez allegedly vowed before that she will produce the suspects if authorities need them for interrogation in connection with the case.