Gov't employee sues councilor, policemen

A GOVERNMENT employee sued City of San Fernando Councilor Angie Hizon and her staff, four police officers, a barangay personnel, and several others for arbitrary detention, unlawful arrest, grave coercion, unjust vexation, and theft.

Mark Alvin Cortez filed the criminal case at the Office of the City Prosecutor last January 24. Cortez, 34, is employed at the Office of the City Vice Mayor.

In his 15-page complaint-affidavit, Hizon's co-respondents were named as Rex Manarang Ronquillo, Elvin Mendoza Reyes, Police Officer (PO) 1 Eugine Sagcal, PO3 Dennis Maraña, PO2 Candy Talao, one PO Manlapaz, and Senior Inspector Narciso Zingalawa, Jr.

The case stemmed from a November 15, 2018 incident when Cortez went to a party of senior citizens at the covered court of Barangay Maimpis in this city.

“As part of my duties, I am tasked as the advance party of (the vice mayor's) office for scheduled appearances and visits at various venues,” he said in the complaint, adding it included “moving in advance to the venue, minimizing any unexpected and difficult situations, arranging requirements before arrival, inspecting security measures and liaising with venue staff and local government units.”

He said Ronquillo and Reyes accosted him, accusing him of taking photographs and videos of Hizon without permission.

“I did not take any photographs and videos of Councilor Hizon,” Cortez asserted.

He alleged Hizon berated him in front of many onlookers and forced him to admit taking photographs and video at the instruction of the vice mayor.

“She verbally threatened me and coerced me to make the said admissions. She likewise declared that she will have me arrested if I did not comply with her instructions to make the said admissions,” Cortez claimed.

Hizon and the two men took his cellular phone, not returning them even to date, he alleged.

Cortez said he filed the case to prove his innocence. “Wala po akong ginawang mali (I did not do anything wrong),” he said.

Several private individuals including Vice-Mayor Jimmy Lazatin provided legal help to Cortez to “help a man trying to stop the harm and lies done to him.”

It could be remembered that Cortez, a resident of Barangay Bulaon, was allegedly caught taking photographs and videos of Hizon during two separate Christmas parties for senior citizens on November 14 and 15.

Hizon filed a case of unjust vexation against Cortez, who was brought to the city police Community Police Action Center 3 in Barangay Sindalan.

The councilor said that she will issue a formal statement once his lawyers get a copy of the said complaint.

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