Grave coercion raps vs ex-mayor, 2 others

The former mayor of Bogo City, Cebu and two others face charges for their involvement in blockading the convoy of a rival clan on Election Day in May 2010.

The Ombudsman has filed before the Sandiganbayan a case of grave coercion against former Mayor Celestino Martinez, former Vice Mayor Santiago Sevilla, and Jose Carlo Martinez.

The Ombudsman accused the two former officials along with Jose Carlo of taking advantage of their positions when they prevented Cebu Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and his companions who were aboard their vehicles from leaving the Polambato Elementary School.

The Ombudsman added that armed members of the Bogo AntiCrime Task Force cordoned the area to ensure that Salimbangon and his companions could not leave and, by means of intimidation, caused the search of their vehicle without a warrant and against their will.

The case has been raffled to the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division while the Ombudsman recommended that each of the accused post a ₱30,000 bail.

According to news reports, Salimbangon and his companions initially filed the case against Martinez before Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office several days after the May 10, 2010 standoff.

In their joint affidavits, Salimbangon and his companions narrated that they went to Polambato Elementary School to check reports of their coordinators that the Board of Election Inspectors in the polling precincts were issuing priority numbers only to the Martinez supporters.

Upon arrival, Martinez and his other family members, their lawyers, and other candidates confronted them.

In order to ease the tension, Martinez and his companions decided to leave the area to avoid conflict only to find out that their vehicle convoy was blocked by the cars of the Martinezes.