BELEAGUERED Barangay 35 captain Manuel Huelar defended himself from accusations of grave abuse of authority, among others, saying he was just performing his duty to protect the interest of his constituents.
In an interview with ABS-CBN Bacolod Thursday, Huelar denied the accusations contained in the complaint filed last May against him by residents of Barangay Mansilingan before the Ombudsman in the Visayas last May.
The complainants filed grave abuse of authority, robbery, carnapping and serious illegal detention against Huelar, kagawad Budy Magbanua, Bliss Operiano and Bonbon Huesna.
"I only tried to recover the items that were allegedly taken from the house of a kagawad,” he said.
All these are part of his obligations to his constituents being their barangay captain, he added.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has forwarded the complaint to the Bacolod City Council.
The complaint was filed by Susan, Mike, Jea Ann and Rolando all surnamed Permano, and John Francis Lingco.
They alleged that Huelar and company entered the residence of Mike in Purok Kasilingan ll Brgy. Mansilingan last May 17 without permission and reportedly took several items with them.
Their legal counsel, Rey Gorgonio, had requested the Ombudsman to issue an order suspending Huelar and Magbanua pending the investigation of the case.