5 Brgy. officials suspended over Poro mauling incident

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has suspended for one month and a day without pay five village officials from Poro town in Camotes Island, Cebu.

Jose Melandro Garcia, Jr., graft investigation and prosecution officer, found Cagcagan, Poro Barangay Capt. Samuel Hilongos and four other village officials administratively liable for simple misconduct.

The village officials reportedly conspired to maul one Dondon Gonzales who was accused of hitting a barangay tanod during a disco in the barangay last Sept. 17, 2017.

“As public officers, respondents must, at all times, respect the rights of others, and refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest,” read Garcia’s decision.

Apart from Garcia, also suspended were Councilor Alan Luceno Olitres, barangay tanods Geonito Rojas Garciano, Jr., and Rall Gonato, and Arnel Gonato, a barangay hall staff.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Noel Lagancia and wife, Guillerma, who accused the respondents of misconduct before the Visayas-Ombudsman.

The couple said they were awakened by a loud noise outside their house at 1 a.m. last Sept. 17, 2017.

Moments later, several people armed with guns and pieces of wood stormed their house by destroying their main and back doors.

Noel said he went outside of their house and saw Hilongos along with several tanods and barangay personnel. He asked Hilongos why they barged into his house, but the village chief reportedly told him, “What now, will you fight back?”

The couple complained about the respondents’ intruding into their house, but the latter ignored them.

Upon seeing Gonzales, the respondents ganged up on him and started mauling him. The couple said they tried to stop the respondents from beating their nephew, but they were overpowered.

The respondents only stopped beating Gonzales when the wife shouted and threatened to call the police for assistance.

Replying to the charges, the respondents said they merely responded to a commotion of a group of teenagers who chased Gonzales for hitting a barangay tanod. /