3 CHURCHES TO HOST OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE ON SEPT. 12 AND 13

Alleged cohorts of Board Member Boniel accused police officers of unlawful arrest, grave coercion, illegal detention

The replica of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Antipolo will be brought to three churches in Cebu on Sept. 12, to celebrate the 91st year since its canonical coronation or the time it was first recognized by a pope. First to receive the statue will be the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue, to be followed by the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, both in Cebu City. PJ Balasabas, assistant secretary of the Hermandad de la Correa y de Sta. Rita de Cascia, said the Our Lady of Antipolo image is one of the oldest Marian images in the world and was brought to the country from Mexico in 1626. During Our Lady of Antipolo’s visit, there will be a procession on Sept. 13, passing Tabor Hills, San Jose Road, Tigbao Road, Talamban highway up to Kauswagan Road at 6: 30 p.m.

The three suspected cohorts of Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel want the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate eight policemen for illegally arresting them last Aug. 16.

Lobo Boniel, Brian Sayson and Wilson Revilles Hoylar filed the complaints for viola- tion of Republic Act ( RA) 3019, or the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

They accused the policemen of unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, grave coercion, grave threats, kidnapping, serious illegal detention and violation of domicile.

“In this regard, we strongly request that these persons be placed under preventive suspension so that their offices may not be used to influence the investigation of the admin- istrative cases,” read the charge sheet prepared by their lawyers Hazard Bargamento and Ophie Easter Bragat.

Named respondents were Supt. Jonathan Cabal, the police’s Regional Intelligence Division 7 chief; SPO1 Alexander Garcia, PO3 Angelo Avenido, PO3 Virgilio Otara, PO3 Lloyd Garcia, PO1 Fredereick Enriquez, PO1 Emmanuel Pagalan, and PO3 Ally Bornillo.

The complainants were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the kidnap- slay of Niño’s wife, Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel.

Hoylar, in his judicial affidavit, said he was inside his room when his mother informed him that policemen were looking for him last Aug. 16.

Holyar went out of their house and faced the policemen, who told him that they would serve the warrant for his arrest.

When he checked the arrest warrant, Holyar said his name was not included in the list of wanted persons. Still, the police insisted on arresting him.

“I refused to go with them. ( but) they started to force me to go with them,” said Hoylar.

The policemen argued with his mother, who refused to let them inside the house.

Brian Sayson, in his affidavit, said they were having dinner inside their house when armed men arrived on Aug. 16, 2017.