Thursday, September 28, 2006 Tomas suspects IBP motives on vigilantes
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday challenged the public to think whether or not the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) officials are sincere in running after the so-called vigilantes.
“Are they really concerned about the public or they just care about their livelihood? I want the public to realize that,” he told a press conference.
The mayor reiterated his demand for IBP Cebu City Chapter president Alex Tolentino to support his claim that some IBP officials already know the names of six to eight persons behind the killings.
“If you are a lawyer and you make accusations, it is only fair that you document it,” said the mayor, who earlier commented he felt alluded to by Tolentino.
Tolentino has asked for two weeks to prepare the case against the vigilantes, saying he was not bluffing when he said he would divulge their names.
Tolentino refused to comment on Osmeña’s statement that they are “siding with criminals” and that he should stop acting like a propaganda machine.
Since late December 2004, at least 168 suspected or convicted criminals have been gunned down in Cebu City. Officials of the church and human rights advocates have warned against the trend.
The barangay council of Pahina Central in Cebu City has asked, through a resolution, the IBP not to leave the public hanging by failing to follow through with its revelation.
The council, led by Barangay Captain Sisinio Andales, said the relatives and families of victims need the identities of the vigilantes so they could file criminal complaints.
Osmeña, for his part, criticized lawyer Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, who acts as the legal counsel of the suspects in the Mandaue City shabu laboratory case and the Land Bank-Bogo branch robbery.
“I’m only asking a question. Maybe that’s why she hates the vigilantes so much, kay nawala gyud iyang mga clients (because she’s losing clients),” the mayor said.
Dalawampu, however, explained that as lawyers, they too have duties and responsibilities.
“I don’t want the mayor to be angry with me, because I feel no anger toward him. Kaming mga abogado gud naa man pud mi among katungdanan. I hope he understands we also have responsibilities as lawyers,” Dalawampu said.
As for the mayor’s question on her handling the Mandaue shabu lab and Land Bank robbery cases, she pointed out that the suspects are also entitled to counsel and she believes her clients are innocent.
She denied the mayor’s allegation that she hates vigilantes because she loses clients.
“No, it’s not that. Kahibawo ba ka nga mas daghan nuon ang kliyente tungod sa vigilantes? Ug madakpan, ang mga tagtungod diay mokiha man na (We could end up getting more clients because of the vigilantes. Once they are caught, the families of the victims will press charges),” she added.
Dalawampu thinks the mayor is picking on her because she is an officer of the IBP and they have taken a stand against the vigilante-style executions. (RHM/Malou Inocando-Tabar, correspondent)
