CONGRESSMAN Benhur Salimbangon (fourth district, Cebu) criticized the police in his area for failure to conduct an investigation on the stand-off in Bogo City during the May 10 elections.
In his privilege speech delivered at the House of Representatives Wednesday, Salimbangon said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should go after those who were responsible for ruthless acts in the city.
He seeks the action from House committee on peace and order by spearheading an investigation, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately cause the disbandment of the City of Bogo Anti-Crime Task Force (CBACTAF).
"What is keeping the PNP from disbanding this anti-crime task force? If such ordinance will be tolerated, it would encourage all the mayors to organize their own anti-crime task force," Salimbangon added.
In his narration, Salimbangon said that on election day, he went to Polambato village in Bogo City to raise the complaint of his supporters on the unlawful acts of his political opponents, particularly Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr.
After both engaged in heated arguments, Salimbangon decided to leave but Martinez ordered his men to block the only thoroughfare where they could pass to get out and were held hostage for nine hours.
Although the stand-off was different from the hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand, the lawmaker said the trauma of the horrifying experience brought to his children is the same.
"Please do not let this humble member of this august body to be held hostage once more. Like you, I want to see our country peaceful and great again. Let us do something now. We cannot wait for more serious things to happen," he said in his speech. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)