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Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Kin of Salabas buddy to charge Dongail: NBI
By Roberto L. Bacasong and Claudine C. Dumalag
LAWYER Celso Estorga, local National Bureau of Investigation chief, disclosed that the family of one of the three victims in the controversial Salabas-Suganob-Lumonjo multiple kidnap-slay case is mulling the filing of criminal charges against one of the principal suspects, Senior Insp. Clarence Dongail.
Estorga revealed that the sister of 2nd Mate Ricardo Suganob, a Maritime instructor from Cagayan de Oro City, met with him last week to discuss the case.
He added that the case might be filed before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office once the necessary documents are ready.
Suganob’s other companions were identified as Eleuterio “Dodong” Salabas, former Barangay Pahanocoy village head and Salabas’ nephew, Maximo Lumonjo, of Misamis Occidental.
Investigation earlier disclosed that Dongail was among the 17 suspects tagged in the kidnap slay. The others were named by the witness, Louie Gersaniba Sr., as a certain “Dodong” and 15 John Does, reportedly members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Unit.
Dongail is now in the custody of the Bacolod City Police Office after the NBI operatives served a warrant of arrest against him last Oct. 3.
No conflict
Estorga denied there was conflict between NBI agents and the local police.
“There is no conflict between the NBI and the PNP. Actually we have settled the matter last Saturday following a meeting with Senior Supt. George Bajelot, city police director, and Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras, provincial police director,” he clarified.
The reported conflict occurred after the NBI allegedly tried to place Dongail in the custody of the Guihulngan police in Negros Oriental where the warrant was secured, while the local police insisted that Dongail should remain at the BCPO.
“We object to the transfer of Dongail,” said Ponteras.
He disclosed that the police will file a motion to transfer Dongail’s case, from the Guihulngan Municipal Circuit Trial Court to a court in Bacolod City.
This came after reports indicated that Guihulngan Judge Hector Barillo planned on citing the NBI and PNP for contempt of court for their failure to turn over Dongail to Guihulngan authorities.
“We have agreed to give way to the NBI to prove their case against Dongail in court first before the PNP will enter in the picture. We will just wait for the outcome of the prosecution,” Ponteras further said.
Another suspect?
On the other hand, Estorga said he will also look in one of their cartographic sketches after he received reports that one of them is connected with detained suspected drug lord Jose Kim “Boy” Cuadra.
Reports reaching Sun.Star disclosed that the person in the cartographic sketch is a resident of Silay City.
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella has requested the NBI and the police to settle their conflict.
Suganob’s body was found on the shore of Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City last Sept. 2 while that of Lumonjo and Salabas were found last Sept. 3 and 19 in the shore of Barangay Tapong, Pulupandan and Punta Buri, Ajuy, Iloilo City, respectively.
They were all shot on the head.
(October 14, 2003 issue)
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