Hearings for policewoman’s case pose security issues

TAGBILARAN CITY — The continued hearing of cases filed against dismissed policewoman Maria Cristina Nobleza and her husband is causing security problems for the province, prompting the provincial peace and order council to seek a transfer of venue.

Provincial prosecutor Macario Delusa pointed out the security issues whenever Nobleza and Reener Lou Dungon are in town for the hearings to the council.

Nobleza and Dungon face charges of obstruction of justice before the 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Tubigon town.

Nobleza, was deputy regional director of the Davao Regional Police Office’s Crime Laboratory when she was arrested with Dongon, his mother, and niece while trying to rescue Abu Sayyaf bandits who were on the run in Bohol last April.

Delusa raised the issue during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on Tuesday. He sought the approval of the council and hopefully Bohol’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan in petitioning the Supreme Court to transfer the venue of the hearings.

The council sided with the concerns of the prosecutor and passed a resolution supporting the venue transfer.

Delusa said the tourism industry is affected by the security concerns surrounding the hearings of the high-risk suspects.