Saturday, July 26, 2008 Prosecutor warns cops not to disregard case vs Bacal By Annabelle L. Ricalde
THE City Prosecutor's Office warned the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office of dire consequences if they will not testify in the case of reckless imprudence filed against Councilor Alden Bacal.
City Prosecutor Fidel Macauyag said he will slap contempt and obstruction of justice case against any police officer who will not attend the preliminary investigation of the case on August 4.
Macauyag have already summoned acting City Police Director Isagani Genabe Jr., Police Inspector Rogelio Bonggo, city traffic director, and Senior Police Officer 2 Rogelio Borromeo, the traffic investigator who handled the case, to appear in the preliminary investigation.
"They can not just disregard this case. They are the ones acting as the complainants," Macauyag said.
Macauyag also summoned the parents of Bacal's 15-year-old victim, Junrie Balingit, to appear in the preliminary investigation even though they have already signed an affidavit of desistance absolving the councilor.
"Their affidavit of desistance would only erase the civil liability of Bacal but on the criminal aspect it has to be resolved on the merit of the case," Macauyag said.
Macauyag said Balingit's parents, Gerardo and Regie, will be made to explain why they no longer are interested to pursue the case against Bacal.
Police have filed the case against Bacal last July 22 after PNP Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered them to do so to clear any public doubts that the police handled the case of the councilor "with kiddie globes."
Macauyag said the he will evaluate all the evidence presented if it warrant the filing of a case against Bacal.
He had given the councilor ten days to reply the complaint from the police.
Bacal publicly apologized for the vehicular accident during last Monday's session in the City Council.
