Monday, April 30, 2007 Gun triggers Tabuelan complaints
TWO council candidates in the northern town of Tabuelan, Cebu complained that a barangay captain from the rival camp pointed a gun at them Saturday afternoon.
The incident happened just minutes after the village chief allegedly harassed the wife of one of the candidates and her companions, for trying to post campaign materials in his barangay.
The encounter came three days after the same barangay captain allegedly challenged to a fistfight a supporter of One Cebu mayoral candidate Zito “Titing” Gallo.
Jose Marie Lamug and Jessie Ruelo, who are running under Gallo’s ticket, said they proceeded to Barangay Cantubaon at 4:45 p.m. to verify the report that Barangay Captain Deolito Almacin “harassed” Rodelia, Lamug’s wife, and her companions.
Cinematic
Instead of talking, Almonacin allegedly pointed a gun at them and uttered, “I will kill you all” in Cebuano.
Almonacin is allied with mayoral candidate Casiano Gerona.
SPO1 Christopher Sanchez of Tabuelan Police Station said that Gallo supporter Buenaventua Almencion complained that Almonacin pulled out a .45 pistol to scare them away.
That was when their group, led by Rodelia, was in Cantubaon at 4.p.m. last Saturday to place posters of Gallo and his slate.
Almencion claimed a policeman, whom he identified as SPO1 Ramon Montecalvo, an intelligence officer of the town’s police force, was present but did not arrest Almonacin.
Minutes after Almencion visited the police station, Lamug and Ruelo also arrived to complain against Almonacin for allegedly pointing a gun at them.
Another Gerona ally, however, told the police a different story.
Oscarito Golbin said it was Lamug and Ruelo who harassed Almonacin.
He went to the police station and claimed that when they arrived in Cantubaon, Lamug pointed a gun at Almonacin.
Policeman involved?
Out of fear, Almonacin reportedly ran towards the house of his brother Joselito to hide.
Sanchez said both camps are planning to press charges against each other.
As to his fellow policeman’s involvement in one incident, Sanchez said Montecalvo came from a mountain barangay and passed by Almonacin arguing with Rodelia’s group.
After successfully mediating between the two parties, Montecalvo left and was no longer aware of the allegation that Almonacin drew out a gun, Sanchez added.
Early last Wednesday morning, Almonacin (not Julito Amonasis as earlier reported) allegedly challenged Edgar Agodo to a fistfight.
Agodo, one of Gallo’s political leaders, said he was watching a basketball game at the town plaza when Almonacin arrived and called out to him.
Sanchez likewise clarified that contrary to what was earlier reported, Jose Cole, who complained of harassment last Wednesday, is Gerona’s and not Gallo’s supporter. (JST/NRC)
