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Thursday, February 09, 2006
Suspect avoids Bogo cell
Joel Sumabong, a robbery suspect, was committed to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) last night, after Judge Antonio Marigomen of the Regional Trial Court of Bogo agreed that he be detained at the provincial jail.
Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch led by Chief Insp. Juanito Enguerra picked Sumabong up at the regional headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 and escorted him to the northern town of Bogo, Cebu.
He was presented to Judge Marigomen of RTC Branch 61 to return the warrant of arrest and for the judge to issue a commitment order for Sumabong, 32.
But Sumabong, in a one-page motion, cited supposed threats to his security as the reason he wanted to be jailed at the CPDRC, which is in the mountain barangay of Kalunasan, Cebu City, and not in the detention cell in the Bogo Police Station.
Squad tactics
“I might not be alive by morning if I am detained in Bogo,” Sumabong told reporters in Cebuano when interviewed at the CIDG 7.
Sumabong has alleged that Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez III was behind the P9.4-million Land Bank robbery in the town last Aug. 2. He also dragged Martinez’s name in several criminal activities that he and the rest of a so-called “mayor’s squad” committed.
The town mayor has denied all the allegations. He and his family earlier said they will file cases against Sumabong.
Sumabong submitted a nine-page affidavit detailing how he got to know the Martinezes and how he got involved in the squad.
His affidavit said that apart from last year’s Land Bank robbery, they were also hired to kill seven people.
Sumabong surrendered to the police last Monday after hiding for almost six months.
Enguerra turned over yesterday the pieces of evidence to the CIDG 7.
These consist of the sketch plans to kill Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and her husband, Senior Supt. Vicente Loot, three SIM cards, printouts of text messages and receipts.
Senior Supt. Loot, Cebu provincial police chief, has inhibited himself from further investigating the Sumabong case to avoid accusations of bias.
Smear campaign
The Martinez family earlier said a politician is using Sumabong to destroy the reputation of the Bogo mayor, who is said to be running for Congress next year, to replace his mother Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez.
Meanwhile, the Bogo-Medellin Sugarcane Planters’ Association is standing behind Mayor Martinez, amid accusations that he masterminded the robbery of Land Bank in Bogo.
Cebu Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo said it is “highly improbable” for Martinez to have done what he is accused of, because he does not have vices like gambling or drinking. (JST/JPM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 9, 2006 issue)
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