Thursday, August 21, 2008 Ma, son charged with arson for burning neighbor’s house
A CONFLICT over children and plants reportedly led a mother and son to burn a neighbor’s house last year.
Yesterday, Aloguinsan, Cebu resident Celestina Pagar accused Leonila Niere and her son Noel of burning down their house last July 7, 2007.
Pagar said the Nieres set off the fire by using a torch to light a wall of the Pagar residence.
Affidavit
Pagar said the incident happened at 10 p.m. She said that her neighbors witnessed Leonila and Noel burning her house.
Pagar claimed that this was the second time the Nieres burned her house. On May 31 that year, they reportedly tried to burn her house, too.
Forty-year-old Emiliano Amistoso, who resides in Barangay Tampaan where the Pagar residence is located, executed an affidavit against the Nieres.
Amistoso narrated that he happened to pass by the Pagar residence on the night of July 7, 2007 and saw that it was burning.
Witness
He alleged that he saw Leonila and Noel “conspiring” in burning the house.
He added that he asked the Nieres the reason for the burning. Leonila reportedly answered him, “Since this (act) was already started, it would be better to finish this.”
Feliflor Abay, Pagar’s daughter, also passed by the house that night and she said she saw Amistoso talking with the Nieres. She overheard the conversation and joined in.
“You are going to face my mother for this,” Abay reportedly told Leonila.
Abay said she then went home and reported the matter to her mother the following day.
Chlldren
Mario Abais, a neighbor, said he saw the blaze that night and also saw the mother and son.
Abais said he learned that Leonila and Noel were burning Pagar’s house because Pagar reportedly admonished Leonila’s children for invading her lot and her plants.
Abais said he reprimanded Leonila and Noel, telling them they have to “face the consequence.”
Pagar claimed the total damage amounted to at least P50,000.
Last Tuesday, Pagar filed a complaint of arson against Leonila and Noel before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor. (KAB)
