THE Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), Branch 7 has issued a warrant of arrest against a private lawyer and four others of the crime for grave coercion.
The document showed that Judge Abraham Bayona of Branch 7, issued the warrant of arrest dated April 22 against lawyer Erfe Del Castillo, Francis Rey Cabuga, Patchy Cabuga, Joseph Rey Cabuga and Cera Cabuga.
The court recommended a bail of P36,000 each accused for their temporary liberty.
The court added that the accused may apply for a bail with any regional Trial Court judges, any Metropolitan Trial Court judge or MTCC judge of the place where the accused is held.
The case stemmed from the standoff in a hotel in Bacolod City in November 2018 due to the conflict between the estranged Cabuga couple who owns Metro Inn Hotel.
The husband tried to take over the hotel with his lawyer so the estranged wife Catherine Berioso Cabuga, former MTRCB director, sought the assistance of her lawyer and the police.
The standoff lasted for about one whole day. (TDE)