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Thursday, July 17, 2003
Sipalay mayor sacks bodyguard
By Claudine C. Dumalag
POLICE have provided security to a witness in the mauling of a Sipalay policeman after he received threats to his life.
Negros Occidental Provincial Police Director Vicente Ponteras ordered the Sipalay City police to secure the witness in the mauling of SPO3 Francisco Esclavia, allegedly by two of Mayor Oscar Montilla’s close-in bodyguards.
The witness (name withheld) told the police that he would see unidentified men roaming outside of his house at night.
Esclavia, a retirable policeman, earlier said he was mauled by Montilla’s bodyguards identified as Bartolome Rasaga and Sandy Sumugat who were armed with M14 assault rifle, Galil, and Uzi machine pistol.
Another bodyguard of the mayor, Nanding Baldem, allegedly merely watched when he was beaten by Rasaga and Sumugat, added Esclavia.
Esclavia further said that Rasaga pistol-whipped him in the back using the Uzi.
The policeman filed serious physical injury charges against only the two bodyguards.
“The witness was apparently receiving threats and harassment reportedly from the suspects,” said Senior Superintendent Ponteras.
On the other hand, Ponteras said that Montilla terminated the services of Rasaga who is still at large, while Sumugat is still being investigated.
Police records revealed that Rasaga also got into trouble with another Sipalay policeman identified as PO2 Lucien Cahigas last year.
Cahigas was transferred to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Group.
Ponteras said they are now conducting a manhunt operation against Rasaga.
In San Enrique town, he said, there are five pending warrants of arrest addressed to a certain Allan Arsaga for double murder and three frustrated murder cases.
They are probing Allan’s affiliation with the suspect.
Ponteras also made it clear that civilians are not supposed to act as bodyguards to government officials.
(July 17, 2003 issue)
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