Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Comelec to charge those who ‘arrested’ Bogo poll canvassers
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) may file charges against those involved in the “citizens’ arrest” of the special board of canvassers for Bogo town last Saturday at the Capitol.
Talisay City Election Officer Gallardo Escobar disclosed that they are studying the possibility of filing charges against those responsible for their “arrest” over allegations of electoral sabotage.
Lawyer Jojie Decal, one of the counsels of congressional aspirant Benhur Salimbangon, allegedly ordered the arrest of Escobar, head of the special board of canvassers for Bogo, along with Mohammad Abdulrashid and Genoveva Sevilla.
Decal, a reliable source said, is Salimbangon’s sister-in-law.
“Maayo tingali nga may ruling ang Supreme Court ani para dili masayon-sayon ang board (Perhaps the Supreme Court should issue a ruling on this so the board can’t be pushed around),” said Escobar over radio dyLA.
He explained that the court should decide if a citizen can arrest the members of the board of canvassers because this incident might be used as a precedent in the next elections.
Escobar said they went home yesterday after staying overnight at the military’s Central Command to rest.
They already inhibited themselves from the controversial canvassing of votes from Bogo.
On the other hand, the Salimbangon camp is also planning to file charges against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for “releasing” Escobar, Abdulrashid and Sevilla.
Decal said the AFP might be liable for an administrative infraction. She insisted that the three were arrested persons and should be detained in the military camp.
Comelec 7 Director Rene Buac earlier said that if the Salimbangon camp would insist on detaining his men, he would put the Provincial Capitol under Comelec control and might order for the arrest of those persons involved in the “arrest” of the canvassers.
“We are using diplomacy but next time maybe we will not be diplomatic anymore,” said Buac. (KNT)
